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German tourist shot dead in Ethiopia

German tourist shot dead in Ethiopia

A German tourist has been shot dead and a guide injured during a visit to a volcano in north-eastern Ethiopia.

They were part of a group which had travelled to the Erta Ale volcano.

It is not known who carried out the attack, but the Ethiopian government has launched an investigation, the BBC’s Emmanuel Igunza reports.

The Afar region, which straddles the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia, is known as an operating ground for several separatist groups.

Five years ago, the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Front – the most prominent of the groups – claimed responsibility for the deaths of five tourists and the abduction of four others in the Afar region.

The group seeks the creation of an independent Afar homeland, which would include areas of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti.

Despite the risks, tourists continue to visit the volcano – found in the heart of the Danakil Depression, which sits at 410ft (125m) below sea level.

By some measures the Danakil Depression is considered to be one of the hottest places on earth, with an average reported temperature of 34.4C, but only 100 to 200mm of rainfall per year.

Added to this heat is the volcano, making it one of the most inhospitable places on the planet.

Listeria kills dozens in South Africa Science Photo Library At least 36 people have died in an outbreak of listeria in South Africa, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has said.

A total of 557 cases had been reported, mostly in the economic hub of Gauteng, followed by Western Cape and Kwazulu-Natal.

Speaking at a press conference, DrMotsoaledi said that while listeria is a serious disease, it can be treated with antibiotics.

The bacteria is found in soil, water and vegetation, and contaminates food sources such as animal products and fresh produce.

The disase mainly affects newborns, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems.

The South African government has tweeted that washing hands is extremely important to prevent getting listeria: