Two Italians among three aid workers kidnapped in Somalia: officials

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

MOGADISHU (AFP) — Three aid workers -- two Italians and a Somali -- were kidnapped by gunmen Wednesday in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region, a security official and a local elder told AFP.

"Three aid workers, among them two Italians, a man and a woman, were kidnapped early this morning by armed men who blindfolded them and took them away," local elder Mohamed Ibrahim Ali told AFP.

A local security official confirmed the kidnapping and said the security forces were trying to locate the hostages.

"We are currently investigating who kidnapped them and where they were taken," Ali Mohamed Gele told AFP.

The kidnapping took place at around 6:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) in the village of Awdhegle, 70 kilometres (45 miles) south of the capital Mogadishu.

The...