http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7497325.stm
Three Germans have been kidnapped by Kurdish guerrillas while on a climbing expedition in eastern Turkey, a local Turkish governor says.
He said the tourists were seized by PKK militants while climbing Mount Ararat, in Agri province.
They were part of a 13-member climbing team, the governor said.
Turkey has in recent months stepped up its campaign against PKK bases in northern Iraq, in response to an increase in attacks by the group.
"The terrorists said they carried out this action because of the German government's recent moves against PKK associations and sympathisers," state-run Anatolian news agency reported.
There were unconfirmed reports that paramilitary troops were involved in an operation to rescue the kidnapped climbers, while the other members of the group were taken to the nearest town.
The group of climbers had set up a camp at 3,200m (10,500ft) on the mountain, the highest in Turkey and a popular tourist destination.
News of the kidnapping coincided with an attack on policemen guarding the US consulate in Istanbul, though there is no suggestion of a link.
