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Egypt Hunts for Kidnapped Tourists

Group including Europeans, Egyptians taken into neighboring Sudan

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 22, 2008 11:31 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A group including 11 European tourists kidnapped Friday in Egypt has been taken across the southern border into neighboring Sudan, officials told the Associated Press today. The kidnappers have demanded as much as $15 million for the release of the German, Italian, and Romanian tourists and their Egyptian guides; Egypt's army is searching for the group.

Egypt's tourism minister, Zoheir Garana, said the kidnappers were likely Sudanese, and that negotiations are underway. “This is most likely not a terror-related act but a criminal one,” he told Bloomberg, “especially since the kidnappers asked for a ransom. As far as we know, the kidnapped tourists are safe and in good health.”

A group including 11 European tourists was kidnapped during an adventure safari in Egypt's southwestern desert, seen here in an undated file photo.
A group including 11 European tourists was kidnapped during an adventure safari in Egypt's southwestern desert, seen here in an undated file photo.   (AP Photo)
Visiting Egypt's famed Giza Pyramids has long been a nightmare, with hawkers peddling camel rides and pharaonic trinkets, hustling tourists at every turn, though violence has been rare.
Visiting Egypt's famed Giza Pyramids has long been a nightmare, with hawkers peddling camel rides and pharaonic trinkets, hustling tourists at every turn, though violence has been rare.   (AP Photo)
Egypt's southwestern desert, where European tourists were kidnapped during an adventure safari in the Sahara desert and were taken across the border, likely into neighboring Sudan.
Egypt's southwestern desert, where European tourists were kidnapped during an adventure safari in the Sahara desert and were taken across the border, likely into neighboring Sudan.   (AP Photo)
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European countries have paid ransoms here before
Los Angeles Times

Darfur rebels deny involvement
IC Publications

'Banditry, not terrorism'
Deutsche Welle (Germany)

Media cautioned against issuing false reports
CNN

Past tourist attacks in Egypt
Al Jazeera

 
kidnapping • Egypt • Sudanese • Sahara • tourists • hostage

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