Tourist abductions: Germany talking to kidnappers

Eleven European tourists and eight Egyptians kidnapped while on a Sahara desert safari trip remain held in Sudan and Germany is negotiating with the kidnappers on their release, the Egyptian tourist minister said today.

Tourism Minister Zoheir Garana said in comments carried by Egypt’s official MENA news agency that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of up to €10m.

The five Germans, five Italians and one Romanian were seized on Friday along with their Egyptian guides and drivers while camping in Egypt’s western desert near the Sudanese border.

Mr Garana said his government has not been in contact with the kidnappers and has yet to determine their identity.