2012 Afar region tourist attack
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| 2012 Afar region tourist attack | |
|---|---|
 Map of Ethiopia showing Afar Region | |
| Location | 13°36′23″N 40°39′41″E / 13.60639°N 40.66139°E 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 were injured: two Belgians and a Hungarian.[2] The Germans were released 7 March the same year.[3]
