***EXCLUSIVE*** AFAR REGION, ETHIOPIA - NOVEMBER 25: The expedition group watches the lava lake on the Erta Ale volcano on the evening of November 25, 2010 in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. Pictures show how fearless tourists are paying thousands to take part in a new holiday to one of the world's most extreme environments. Just like one of the solar system's harshest planets, the Danakil Desert in Ethiopia, is known as the cruellest place on Earth. In stark contrast to top destinations like the Caribbean, the location is a dangerous destination full of violent volcanoes, blistering temperatures, toxic gases and land masses being ripped apart by enormous planetary forces. These images show paying holidaymakers coming face-to-face with an alien world. The trip takes customers right into the Afar Triple Junction - one of the most geologically active places found anywhere around the globe, where the Arabian tectonic plate is pulling away from a new rift dividing the African tectonic Plate in two. Despite the savage powers at work - and the weird surroundings created by them - adventurous holidaymakers are paying to go right into the heart of it to witness the spectacle for themselves. Holiday firm VolcanoDiscovery offers a three week tour for around £3,000 that begins from capital Addis Ababa. Visitors like retired civil servant Kwame Ofori, 67, from London, are taken to active volcano Erta Ale, the sulphuric lakes of Dallol, and the Danakil salt flats. PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM PFEIFFER / BARCROFT MEDIA LTD UK Office, London. T +44 845 370 2233 W www.barcroftmedia.com USA Office, New York City. T +1 212 564 8159 W www.barcroftusa.com Indian Office, Delhi. T +91 114 653 2118 W www.barcroftindia.com Australasian & Pacific Rim Office, Melbourne. E info@barcroftpacific.com T +613 9510 3188 or +613 9510 0688 W www.barcroftpacific.com
ESAT News (December 5, 2017)
Tourists watching live volcano at Erta Ale PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM PFEIFFER / BARCROFT MEDIA LTD
A tourist killed on Sunday in Afar, Northern Ethiopia, is a German national, Germany’s foreign ministry confirmed today.
The German national, whose name is withheld, was among a group of tourists visiting Erta Ale volcanic site when they came under attack by unidentified gunmen. An Ethiopian tourist guide has sustained gunshot wounds, according to sources.
“The Foreign Office confirms one deceased German national during the attack at Erta Ale,” the statement from the Ministry said but did not provide additional details.
No group has taken responsibility for Sunday’s attack and the Ethiopians regime has chosen to stay mum.
Sunday’s ambush on tourists was the third major attack in recent years. The Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (ARDUF), an armed group opposing the TPLF regime, took responsibility in hostages and attacks on tourists in 2012 and 2007.
A total of five tourists were killed in the 2012 attack by ARDUF while three were injured and four others kidnapped. Two of the deceased were Germans, two Hungarians and one Austrian.
Five Europeans and 13 Ethiopians were kidnapped in 2007 but were later released after negotiations with ARDUF.
The Ethiopian regime routinely blames arch foe Eritrea for the attacks in Afar. Eritrea denies the allegations.