Egyptian Forces Resuce Kidnapped Tourists

Egyptian forces, assisted by Italian and German intelligence agents, rescued 11 European tourists and 4 Egyptians after they were kidnapped. Half of the kidnappers were killed in the rescue operation. Guardian

Eleven European tourists and eight local guides kidnapped 10 days ago in Egypt have been rescued by troops and special forces, officials said today.

The five Germans, five Italians and one Romanian were rescued in an overnight operation by Egyptian and Sudanese forces near the Sudan-Chad border, an Egyptian security official said.

The Egyptian defence minister, Hussein Tantawi, said half of the kidnappers were killed in the rescue operation, according to the state news agency Mena. The report did not give a precise number or details on the rescue.

....

The Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini, suggested Italian and German special forces were involved. He told the Sky TG24 news channel that Sudan and Egypt carried out "a highly professional operation" with the "intervention of Italian intelligence and experts from the special forces" from Germany and Italy.

The tourists and local guides and drivers were taken to Cairo and were understood to be in good health.