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Three kidnapped tourists and one dead in Timbuktu
UK warns citizens to stay away from northern Mali as several westerners are kidnapped or killed by armed gangs.
Timbuktu, a popular tourist destination, was the scene of latest kidnappings of westerners.
Three tourists were kidnapped and a fourth was killed by an armed gang in the city of Timbuktu in northern Mali according to security sources.
Although the nationalities have not yet been confirmed reports say that two of the hostages are Dutch and the third South African who may have been a UK resident.
In an attempt to resist the kidnappers, the fourth man was shot dead. He is said to be German.
Timbuktu is a popular tourist destination and this was the first time foreigners have been abducted.
A group linked to al-Qaeda has allegedly attacked Westerners in nearby regions. This has triggered warnings from the UK to its citizens to not travel to northern Mali, including Timbuktu, following several kidnappings.
Two French geologists were also kidnapped by an armed gang on Thursday in the eastern village of Hombori in Mali.
