22 tourists kidnapped by Mexico gunmen

Mexican police were today searching for 22 men kidnapped at gunpoint as they travelled together in the resort city of Acapulco.

The kidnapping was reported by a man who had been travelling with the group, said state police chief Fernando Monreal.

The man told police he left the group to go to a store and when he returned his companions were gone. Witnesses told him the 22 had been kidnapped by armed men.

Monreal said the missing were aged between 17 and 47, and were visiting Acapulco from neighbouring Michoacan state. The man who notified police described the group as tourists.

The motive behind the kidnapping was unknown.

Acapulco has been a key drug gang battleground.