2 American tourists kidnapped in Egyptian Sinai

[dipsydoodle]

Last edited Thu May 31, 2012, 05:22 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Ma'an news agency

El-ARISH, Egypt (Ma'an) -- Two American tourists were kidnapped by armed men in the Sinai peninsula early Thursday, Egyptian security sources said.

Jonathan Shizarlasky and Carter Brabon were kidnapped in the Red Sea city of Nuweiba.

The two US citizens were seized at gunpoint from a car near the Hilton hotel and taken to a mountainous area, security sources said.

Both men arrived in Egypt on May 28 and traveled to the Sinai peninsula shortly afterward.

Read more: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=490916

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Sinai gunmen kidnap US tourists http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18277949

[SkyDaddy7]

1. WHY?!?!?!?!

Why do people, especially Americans & other Westerners, go to places where they KNOW there is a high risk of being killed or kidnapped or BOTH?

I can understand when aid workers are in those areas trying to help people but TOURIST? WTF?

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I have plans to go to both Jordan and Egypt in Nov. The US State Department

hasn't even put out a travel alert for either of those two countries. Why do I want to go there? To experience some of the most ancient cultures in the world. To talk to Egyptians about their hopes for their new government. To go to places that will probably be off-limits to US citizens within the next few years as we expand our military empire to include all the Middle East because of 'security threats'.


I think I'd rather be kidnapped in Egypt than shot dead sitting in a cafe in Seattle.

[renate]

5. my parents went there; when they left their hotel they noticed a man following them

Guess what? It was a hotel security guard, keeping an eye on them.

This was a few years ago, before the uprising, but I'm sure it's still true that tourism is such a big deal that there is a huge incentive to keep tourists safe. (P.S. I should also mention in all honesty that the axles of their touring bus were tampered with once, in hopes that the bus would break down or have an accident in the middle of nowhere, so keep an eye out for that kind of thing.) Be careful and safe and have a wonderful trip!

[mainer]

4. You could be kidnapped anywhere. Including the US.

In Egypt, oftentimes it's for money.

[Catherina]

3. Good news. Released unharmed

Two US tourists were relased unharmed by Bedouin kidnappers in the Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, security sources said, a day after they had been abducted by tribesmen seeking the release of one of their kinsmen held by the Egyptian authorities.

"The tourists are with Egyptian security now," a security source told Reuters. "They were released after successful negotiations with the army,with the mediation of Bedouin sheikhs."

http://www.arabstoday.net/en/20120531143754/us-tourists-freed-unharmed-in-sinai.html