Fed: Authorities trying to determine if Aussies in hostage crisi

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2000
Fed: Authorities trying to determine if Aussies in hostage crisi

Australian authorities are trying to find out if there are any Australian tourists
among a group of people taken hostage on a remote resort island in eastern Malaysia.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says so far there has been no confirmation
of the nationality of the approximately 21 hostages, although local reports say some were
foreign tourists.

A Department spokeswoman says consular staff at the Australian High Commission in Kuala
Lumpur are liaising with local authorities.

At least six masked men surprised and captured the group on a beach on Sipadan Island last night.

Sipadan is a popular diving island off the north-east coast of Sabah, the Malaysian
side of Borneo island, which is shared with Indonesia.

Two foreign tourists managed to escape the heavily armed men.

Police say the hostages are believed to have been taken onto a boat and were now at sea.

AAP RTV/AP/rcg 0

KEYWORD: MALAYSIA HOSTAGE AUS (CANBERRA)

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