Algerian authorities found a vehicle in the Sahara desert that likely belonged to a German couple who are among 31 European tourists missing in the north African country, a security official said Sunday. The discovery may provide one of the most important clues into the disappearances since the Algerian military began searching in mid-February, the official said on condition of anonymity. The four-wheel drive vehicle was “practically buried under sand” near the remote town of Illizi, 930 miles southwest of the capital, Algiers, he said. It’s battery had been removed. The official, who is close to the army colonel in charge of the search, Messaoud Ben Boudria, said the vehicle likely belonged to the German couple who vanished on March 8. Seven groups have disappeared since mid-February and search parties, some involving helicopters with heat-seeking sensors, have failed to find any traces of them. The travelers — 15 Germans, 10 Austrians, four Swiss, one Dutch person and a Swede — were in four-wheel drive vehicles or on motorcycles and all without guides. Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.