Eight tourists kidnapped on Lost City hike

A group of eight tourists were kidnapped while hiking in Colombia, officials have confirmed, two British citizens were among the group.

The two British men, believed to be students, were named by Colombian newspapers as Nathan Scott and a Mr Henderson.

They were kidnapped with a German, a Spaniard and four Israelis on a trek to Ciudad Perdida or Lost City; ancient ruins in mountainous jungle in the northern region of Colombia.

The group were taken on Friday morning from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an area close to the Caribbean coast.

An official at the British Embassy said: "There was a group of people abducted on Friday morning. Among that group were the Britons.

"Consular officials will be travelling up there this morning."

She would not discuss the identity of the pair or if their next of kin had been informed or who they believed was responsible.

But it was reported that the group may have been abducted by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC - an organisation thought to be responsible for most of the 3,000 kidnappings that take place every year in the country.

Government officials said the rebels initially took the tourist group's guide, but later released him and he went straight to the police.

The eight abducted people were part of a larger group of 15 tourists that had earlier split in two. The seven others were all safe, the official added.

It was reported that a massive police and army search was under way for the tourists, made up of more than 1,500 men, aided by nine Black Hawk helicopters.

The Ciudad Perdida ruins can only be reached by a six-day trek or by helicopter.

The site, which has around 80 circular raised stone platforms, spread over several miles, is believed to have been built by the Tayrona Indians in around 500 BC.