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
Non-fatal injuries	3
Suspected perpetrators	Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front

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, 2012

References

1. "Ethiopia says four kidnapped in Afar tourist attack". Reuters. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
2. "Ethiopia: Tourists kidnapped after deadly Afar attack". BBC News. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
3. "Ethiopian rebels release Germans kidnapped in Afar desert". GlobalPost, 7 March 2012. Retrieved 2013-7-3.. Archived 2013-07-13.