2012 Afar region tourist attack

The 2012 Afar region tourist attack was a shooting incident on the night of 17 January 2012 at Erta Ale volcano in the Afar Region of Ethiopia which killed 5 and injured 3. Four people were kidnapped in the attack.

2012 Afar region tourist attack
Map of Ethiopia showing Afar Region
LocationErta Ale, Afar Region, Ethiopia
Date17 January 2012 (UTC+3)
Attack type
Shooting
Deaths5
Injured3
Victims4 kidnapped

Bereket Simon, the country's communications minister told Reuters the attack was carried out at 5 am on 17 January, by Eritrean-trained groups. Two foreigners, a driver, and a policeman were kidnapped. Eritrea denied having trained and armed the attackers.[1]

It was later revealed that two Germans, two Hungarians and an Austrian were killed in the attack. Two Germans and two Ethiopians were kidnapped. Three people injured: two Belgians and a Hungarian.[2] The Germans were released 7 March the same year.[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Ethiopia says four kidnapped in Afar tourist attack". Reuters. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Ethiopia: Tourists kidnapped after deadly Afar attack". BBC News. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  3. ^ "Ethiopian rebels release Germans kidnapped in Afar desert". GlobalPost, 7 March 2012. Retrieved 2013-7-3.. Archived 2013-07-13.