Tourist snatched from African safari park, ransom demanded
A $500,000 ransom is being demanded for an American tourist who was snatched by armed kidnappers from an African safari reserve.
Ugandan security forces said the 35-year old woman and a guide were abducted during a trip to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The woman’s mobile phone was later used to demand the ransom, police said. She was touring the park with two other elderly tourists who were left unharmed.
The park, home to around 2,500 elephants, is a popular attraction and is regarded as safe, however, the Ishasha section, from where the woman was snatched is close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Security forces say they have ‘cut off all exit areas’ along the border.
"We strongly believe the perpetrators and victims could still be trapped within our search area," said Ugandan Media Centre head Ofwondo Opondo.
"A joint operation by the Uganda police, Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Uganda Wildlife Authority game wardens is under way to locate and rescue them."
An elite squad from the tourist police department is also scouring a wide area. The park is about 100 miles from Bwindi Impenetrable national park, which is famed for gorilla trekking tours.
Army spokesman brigadier Richard Karemire, called the kidnapping ‘an isolated incident’ and insists Uganda remains safe for visiting tourists.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all travel to the provinces of the DRC that border Uganda and warns that some gorilla trekking operators stray into these prohibited areas. "You should avoid taking these tours. The FCO advises against all travel to the provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo that border Uganda, this includes Virunga National Park," it said.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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