| 2012 Afar region tourist attack | |
| Location: | Erta Ale, Afar Region, Ethiopia |
| Date: | 17 January 2012 |
| Timezone: | UTC+3 |
| Type: | Shooting |
| Fatalities: | 5 |
| Injuries: | 3 |
| Victims: | 4 kidnapped |
The 2012 Afar region tourist attack was a shooting incident on the night of 17 January 2012 at Erta Ale volcano in the Afar Region of Ethiopia which killed 5 and injured 3. Four people were kidnapped in the attack.
Bereket Simon, the country's communications minister told Reuters the attack was carried out at 5 am on 17 January, by Eritrean-trained groups. Two foreigners, a driver, and a policeman were kidnapped. Eritrea denied having trained and armed the attackers.[1]
It was later revealed that two Germans, two Hungarians and an Austrian were killed in the attack. Two Germans and two Ethiopians were kidnapped. Three people injured: two Belgians and a Hungarian.[2] The Germans were released 7 March the same year.[3]