2012 Afar region tourist attack

2012 Afar region tourist attack
Map of Ethiopia showing Afar Region
Location	Erta Ale, Afar Region, Ethiopia
Date	17 January 2012 (UTC+3)
Attack type	Shooting
Deaths	5
Injured	3
Victims	4 kidnapped

The 2012 Afar region tourist attack was a shooting incident on the night of 17 January 2012 at Erta Ale volcano in the Afar Region of Ethiopia which killed 5 and injured 3. Four people were kidnapped in the attack.

Bereket Simon, the country's communications minister told Reuters the attack was carried out at 5 am on 17 January, by Eritrean-trained groups. Two foreigners, a driver, and a policeman were kidnapped. Eritrea denied having trained and armed the attackers.[1]

It was later revealed that two Germans, two Hungarians and an Austrian were killed in the attack. Two Germans and two Ethiopians were kidnapped. Three people injured: two Belgians and a Hungarian.[2] The Germans were released 7 March the same year.[3]

See also

• List of terrorist incidents in 2012

References

1. "Ethiopia says four kidnapped in Afar tourist attack". Reuters. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
2. "Ethiopia: Tourists kidnapped after deadly Afar attack". BBC News. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
3. "Ethiopian rebels release Germans kidnapped in Afar desert". GlobalPost, 7 March 2012. Retrieved 2013-7-3.. Archived 2013-07-13.