Gunmen Kill Driver, Kidnap Four Aid Workers In Kenya'S East

Gunmen kill driver, kidnap four aid workers in Kenya's east < br />

2012-07-01 08:43:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

DADAAB, KENYA (BNO NEWS) -- Unidentified gunmen attacked a convoy of aid workers in eastern Kenya on Friday afternoon, killing one of the drivers and abducting four foreign aid workers, officials said on Saturday. Two aid workers were also injured.

The attack happened at around noon local time at the Dadaab refugee camp, the world's largest refugee camp which is located about 75 kilometers (46 miles) west of the border with Somalia, when gunmen ambushed a convoy carrying aid workers from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

Authorities said three people were injured during the attack, including a driver identified as Abdi Ali who later died at a local hospital while receiving medical treatment. "Our thoughts are with Abdi Ali's family," said Rolf Vestvik, Director Advocacy and Information at NRC. "Our team in Nairobi are providing support and all of Norwegian Refugee Council extends our condolences for their loss."

A statement from NRC confirmed four of its employees were missing following the incident, but their identities and nationalities were not immediately released. A local police official said the abducted staff members are believed to be from Canada, Norway, Pakistan and the Philippines.

"We remain deeply concerned about the welfare of our missing colleagues," Vestvik said, adding that the organization cannot disclose further information about the missing staff members at this time. "We have notified their families and we are in close contact with the relevant authorities in Kenya and internationally."

It was not immediately known who was behind the attack, or if the group specifically targeted the aid workers.

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