Fed: Aust authorities relieved no Aussies in hostage drama

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2000
Fed: Aust authorities relieved no Aussies in hostage drama

Australian authorities say they are relieved no Australians are among the 20 people
taken hostage by armed gunmen on a resort island off eastern Malaysia.

The group, including Malaysian, German, French, South African, Finnish, Lebanese and
Filipino tourists and island workers, was seized last night on Sipadan island, off Malaysia's
Sabah state.

The island is a popular destination for Australian tourists because of its diving.

But a spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says none has been
caught up in the crisis.

The department does not specifically mention Sabah in its run-down of travel advice
for Australians, but warns visitors should take care.

The kidnappers are from the Philippines and have not yet made any demands.

Authorities are investigating possible links with the fundamentalist Abu Sayyaf rebel
group holding dozens of hostages in the southern Philippines.

AAP RTV kmh/wz

KEYWORD: MALAYSIA HOSTAGES AUS (CANBERRA)

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