Five German nationals belonging to the same family were kidnapped in Yemen on Wednesday by Yemeni tribesman, marking the third such abduction of Westerners in the country this year.
The five were reportedly part of an organized tour at the time near the eastern Shabwa province near the port city of Aden.
"A five-member family has gone missing in Yemen ... According to information we have received the family has been in Yemen since Dec. 24," a spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry stated.
"They were travellng in a group, in which one vehicle fell behind," he said, according to Reuters.
Yemeni authorities are reportedly negotiating with the kidnappers to secure their release. The tribesmen allegedly kidnapped the touring family to use as pawns for the release of several tribe members who are currently serving a prison sentence for criminal activities, including murder.
Tourists are taken hostage relatively often in the impoverished country of Yemen, though they are usually freed unharmed.
Two Austrians were kidnapped last week, while last month two Swiss tourists were also taken hostage.
