Ethiopia ? At least a dozen European tourists were kidnapped in remote northeastern Ethiopia, a barren expanse of volcanoes and ancient salt mines where bandits and rebels operate, diplomats and local businessmen said Friday.

The tourists – between seven and 10 French citizens and five Britons – were traveling in four cars when they were seized Thursday in Dalol, 500 miles northeast of Addis Ababa, according to a businessman and a tour operator who work in the area.

As required by the Ethiopian government, the groups were traveling in the Afar region with armed guards. The region is not heavily traveled because it is so remote, but the otherworldly landscape draws adventure travelers.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett confirmed that five of the missing were “members of staff, or relatives of members of staff” at the British Embassy in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.