Six Kidnappers Shot Dead by Sudanese Forces

Atlanta, Ga. 9/28/2008 05:02 PM GMT

Six kidnappers who abducted eleven tourists and eight Egyptian tour guides in southern Egypt last week have been shot dead by Sudanese forces. According to reports the Sudanese military encountered a white SUV carrying eight armed men near the Libyan border and ordered the vehicle to stop. The SUV refused the order and sped off leading to a chase in which the military opened fire on the men, killing six. The remaining two men were captured and confessed to kidnapping the tourist, which included five Germans, five Italians and a Romanian as well as the eight guides. It is believed the kidnapped are being held in the Tabbat Shajara region of Chad. Negotiations for their release have been ongoing. The kidnappers have demanded a $8.8 million ransom for their release.