A group of 17 European tourists, including 10 Austrians, six Germans and a Swede, who went missing in Algeria two months ago and were feared kidnapped have been found, the countries' foreign ministries said on Wednesday.
"I can confirm that a group of missing tourists, including six Germans, have been found in Algeria," a German Foreign Ministry spokesman said. He added all six were in good health.
On Monday, Joschka Fischer, the German Foreign Minister, flew to Algeria to personally inquire about the fate of 31 European tourists, including 15 Germans, who vanished in the Sahara desert more than two months ago.
Fischer, who was received by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, told reporters "the fate of our compatriots and of those who disappeared with them will be at the centre of our talks," the official APS news agency said.
The adventure holiday-makers, including 10 Austrians, four Swiss, a Dutchman and a Swede, disappeared in late February and early March.
The Swiss French-language weekly magazine Hebdo reported in its latest edition that the Algerian authorities had received ransom demands for between $23-$34 million for the group. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
