Travellers are being warned against all travel to the Afar and Danakil areas of north-eastern Ethiopia by the government today.

The Foreign Office warning follows news of an incident involving the kidnapping of visitors.

“We understand that a number of Western Nationals are reported as missing in north-eastern Ethiopia,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

“Embassy staff are urgently seeking clarification from the Ethiopian authorities. Pending further clarification, we advise against all travel to the Afar and Danakil regions of north eastern Ethiopia.”

The Foreign Office had already issued warnings against travel to several other areas of Ethiopia, including the Gambella region, all travel within 20 kilometres of the Eritrean border in the Tigray and Afar regions, crossing the Ethiopia and Somalia border by road, and against all travel in the area east of the Harar to Gode line.

“You should remain extremely vigilant at all times if in public places and you should avoid any public demonstrations or large gatherings of people,” it advised.

“If you are visiting Ethiopia either on a long or short-term basis, you should register with the British Embassy in Addis Ababa on arrival.”

For the latest Foreign Office travel advice for Ethiopia see www.fco.gov.uk