ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Armed bandits have killed two Turkish tourists and an Ethiopian driver in southwestern Ethiopia, according to local authorities.
The incident happened on Monday morning in the Suri district of West Omo Zone as two Turkish tourists and their Ethiopian driver were attacked by unidentified armed herdsmen, the Southwest Ethiopia Peoples Regional State Government said in a statement released late Monday.
Describing the attack as a "barbaric and heinous act," the regional government expressed its deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended condolences to the victims' families.
Authorities said extensive law enforcement operations are currently underway to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Suggesting that the attack was the result of an armed robbery, the regional government called on the local community to cooperate with security forces by providing necessary information about the perpetrators. ■