Ethiopia gang kills five tourists

FIVE tourists have been killed and two kidnapped in an attack by an armed gang in a remote part of Ethiopia.

Two other tourists were injured in the raid on the party visiting a volcanic area in the country’s north.

The country’s communications minister, Bereket Simon, said the gunmen came from neighbouring Eritrea and attacked before dawn on Tuesday. Eritrea denied it was involved.

There was confusion over the casualties and the size of their group, which reports put at between eight to 20. Interpol said two Germans, two Hungarians and an Austrian were killed. Two Belgians were seriously hurt and two Italians escaped unharmed.

The tourists were in Ethiopia’s Afar region, which lies below sea level and is known for its intense heat and picturesque salt flats.