Austrian woman kidnapped in Niger

An Austrian woman has been kidnapped in the northern Niger city of Agadez, Vienna said on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, we have to confirm the case,” the foreign ministry told AFP in an email.

Earlier it said its embassy in Algiers – which is responsible for Niger — “has been informed of the possible kidnapping of an Austrian woman in Agadez”.

The embassy added it was in contact with partner countries and the EU delegation on site as well as regional authorities.

Authorities in Agadez declined to comment. Local media Air-Info Agadez named the victim as Eva Gretzmacher, who lived in Agadez, known as the gateway to the desert.

According to information gathered by Air-Info, armed kidnappers showed up at her home Saturday evening and forced her guard to open the door at gunpoint.

They then entered the house and forced Gretzmacher into a vehicle. They did not take any belongings, Air-Info said.

Gretzmacher, 73, has lived in Agadez for 28 years, according to Air-Info.

Air-Info and Austrian daily Kurier said Gretzmacher, who was born in Vienna, set up a centre in 2010 to run projects in education, health, women empowerment, ecology, culture and arts.

Gretzmacher had already been the subject of kidnapping threats in 2021, Air-Info said.