Police say 3 Spanish aid workers kidnapped in Mauritania

Police: 3 aid workers kidnapped in Mauritania

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania — A police official says three Spanish aid workers have been kidnapped in the desert nation of Mauritania.

The official says the three were traveling in a convoy delivering humanitarian aid when they were attacked by armed men. The official asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

The kidnapping took place Sunday, according to reports.

The gunmen took three of the aid workers hostage, including two men and a woman, the official says. He says they were attacked on the road linking Nouakchott, the capital, to the northern port of Nouadhibou.

The police officials said the workers were employed by a Spanish organization called Barcelona-Accio, which works in several African countries including Mauritania.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) — A police official says three Spanish aid workers have been kidnapped in the desert nation of Mauritania.

The official says the three were traveling in a convoy delivering humanitarian aid when they were attacked by armed men. The official asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

The gunmen took three of the aid workers hostage, including two men and a woman, the official says. He says they were attacked on the road linking Nouakchott, the capital, to the northern port of Nouadhibou.

The police officials said the workers were employed by a Spanish organization called Barcelona-Accio, which works in several African countries including Mauritania.

In 2007, four French tourists were killed in Mauritania by gunmen believed to be allied with an al-Qaida-linked group.