Briton one of four tourists in Mali kidnapping
Ferry Online Travel News 26/01/2009
A UK man is reported to be among the four European tourists who were kidnapped in Mali late last week.
The four were taken hostage as they were returning from a cultural festival in the West African country.
German tour company Oase Reisen said that the kidnappers were "clearly" seeking a ransom before they would release any of the abducted tourists. The kidnapped tourists were part of a tour group organized by the German operator.
The group comprised two Swiss nationals, a woman from Germany and Briton who was working in Austria. They were abducted after attending a nomad culture festival in Anderamboukane, Mali.
There were seven tourists in the group, travelling in three vehicles, according to Oase Reisen. They were stopped near the Niger border by armed Tuareg rebels, when the tyres of the lead vehicle were shot out.
The driver of the second vehicle turned the car around and managed to get away through the bush. Although the car was hit by three bullets, everyone escaped injury.
Local staff working for the German tour operator found the cook who had accompanied the group. Although he was not hurt, he said that they had subjected him to a "show execution," firing a gun inches from his head.
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