Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road
Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 4 Mar 2008
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,323
Missing 4wd, couple, in Tunisia

From post on Desert-info.ch (in German)
www.desert-info.ch :: Thema anzeigen - VERMISST IN TUNESIEN!!! Bitte lesen!

In Tunisia missing since 18.2.08
Vehicle is a Land Rover Defender 110 TD5, blue (-Cairns = medium blue metallic), HA 661 EV indicator - Austria
The vehicle is striking because höhergelegt, 9.00er XZL tyres, stainless steel sill and snorkel, brown leather seats, Aludachträger, Zurrschienen side, additional tanks and deck space inside.

Wolfgang Ebners and girlfriend, name unknown
are 1 man (about 175, short hair, slim) and 1 woman (slim, schulterlange hair), and 2 shepherd dogs.

The last phone message came from Matmata, they were on the south, possibly towards the border area Algeria, - the exact route is unknown, however.

Getting there was Genoa - Tunis on 9.2.2008
29.2.2008 planned return trip - but they were not on the ferry and have also been since 18.2 Not reported

The embassies in Algeria, Tunisia and Libya were alerted.

If anyone both in Tunisia or Algeria after 18.2. encounters them, then please immediately report to me, the moderator or the embassies! Please also says friends decision on the recently there were, are or will be...

Each tip can be helpful!

-----------------Details:
1st Wolfgang is actually each year in the Sahara, and I would find him already as described.
2nd No, as far as I know, he had no Satphone
3rd Yes, PC-based GPS navigation
4th We do not know his relatives probably not. Maybe he is there without permission or direction Algeria has been on the
5th He eventually something of a fort "Fatima" or "Fatma" said that he wanted to show his girlfriend - who knows that?
6th Yes, if they were taken in Algeria, I also think that it would be known that - on the other hand Algeria will certainly not fuss because of "lost tourists." The message is, in any case.
7th With the distances in Tunisia is true - it is assumed that both have good foot. If it was an accident, in which both were set battle except perhaps in a little traffic route or outside of it, which also helps.

Post replies and information here please.
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Mar 2008
HUBB Advertiser
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 957
Missing in Tunisia

This info gathered via a remote viewing session. Take it or leave it, but I had to try. I am better than average but certainly not 100% all the time.

I believe They went caravanning into desert, after Matmata about 150-175 K oases, or further in direction of TOZEUR some reason they are without their own cloths, dressing as locals? Fuel problem of some kind, keeps jamming in. Not absolutely sure about this at all.

My advice immediate contact with Berbers between Matmata and KEBILI, DOUZ or as far as TOZEUR indicated. Contact should be done in a manner conforming to Berber culture and language. Someone should spend some effort here. Wish I was there!

Grant, please post at PEACE CORPS TUNISIA Peace Corps Online | Tunisia

I am sure there are PEACE Corps Volunteers in the area I suggest they are.

Grant, important contact could be Wisconsin Governor JIM DOYLE, he is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Tunisia. He will have contacts into Peace Corps staff in country.

xfiltrate Hope this helps... xfiltrate
__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

Last edited by xfiltrate; 5 Mar 2008 at 04:57.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Mar 2008
Ulrich's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: In the heart of Bavaria
Posts: 406
Hello,

here an link to an poster of the missings (also as download in PDF avaiable):

disparus au Sahara tunesien

There ist to found the mail-adress and phone-number of the son from Wolfgang Ebner.



Best regards

Ulrich
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 Mar 2008
HUBB Advertiser
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 957
Update requested!

Please post an update for the missing couple. Thanks xfiltrate
__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9 Mar 2008
Ulrich's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: In the heart of Bavaria
Posts: 406
Hello xfiltrate,

they are not found till now. The tunisian military and police is searching for them.

Regards

Ulrich

Last edited by Ulrich; 9 Mar 2008 at 11:02.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9 Mar 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
Thats worrying now !
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Mar 2008
HUBB Advertiser
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 957
Hope this helps!

I just posted pertinent parts of Grant's message at : Peace Corps Online | Tunisia

Message may not show up at site for a while, as it has to be approved by web master first.

Peace Corps Tunisia today consists of Returned Peace Corps volunteers, like me. I am sure a few stayed in country, after their 2 years of service...

For whatever reason Peace Corps is not officially active in Tunisia now.

Those who served in Tunisia have an on line message/info site. I posted the data about the missing couple and Land Rover at Peace Corps Tunisia site.

A question was Mr. Ebners fluent in any of the local languages of Tunisia? I get him talking with locals quite fluently. Time frame is impossible for me to get. Don't know if it was this trip or previous trip?

Hope posting on Peace Corps site helps. My best intention for a safe return and courage to friends and family. xfiltrate
__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 Mar 2008
Ulrich's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: In the heart of Bavaria
Posts: 406
Bad News!

Quote:
Qaeda's N.Africa wing holding Austria tourists-TV Mon 10 Mar 2008, 15:51 GMT





DUBAI, March 10 (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's North Africa wing was holding two Austrian tourists it had abducted in Tunisia on Feb. 22, Al Jazeera television reported on Monday.
It aired a recording in which a man identified as Salah Abou-Mohammad, a spokesman of al Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb, said that the tourists, a man and a woman, were in a good condition.
"The spokesman said in the tape that the group will announce its conditions for the release of the two tourists at a later stage," a Jazeera presenter said. The channel did not broadcast that part of the recording.
Abou-Mohammad identified the tourists as a nurse and a consultant, giving their names with an Arabic accent as Andrea Kobler and Wolfgang Edner.
"The hand of the mujahideen can reach you wherever you were on Tunisian soil," he said addressing tourists in the North African country, which attracts visitors from several European countries.
Link: Tunisia | Africa - Reuters.com

Ulrich
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10 Mar 2008
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
Missing Austrians kidnapped by AQ-M in Tunisia

Qaeda's North Africa wing says holding Austrian tourists | International | Reuters
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10 Mar 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
There is more about this in here, including details of the unfortunate captives:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-tunisia-33542

Someone will be along soon to tell us that Al-Q is a figment of imagination or a media invention or ............I guess these two Austrians wish it were.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10 Mar 2008
lorraine's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Definitely Nomadic
Posts: 523
Shit. Like everyone, I was hoping they'd taken a detour, found a wonderful spot and were enjoying the desert.
Lorraine
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11 Mar 2008
Ulrich's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: In the heart of Bavaria
Posts: 406
The Original-letter of AlQaida (formerly an Word-Dokument), the translation and the original Sound-file for Windows Media-Player.

www.desert-info.ch :: Thema anzeigen - VERMISST IN TUNESIEN!!! Bitte lesen!

Best regards

Ulrich
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11 Mar 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NE Victoria, Australia
Posts: 11
Wow scary news... pray that they will be ok.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11 Mar 2008
Pumbaa's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: On our bicycles, probably pushing up a hill!
Posts: 435
Thats sh1te!!!!

Poor people man!!!

I really hope they are ok. I just don't understand why/how people can have so little regard for someone elses life...I mean what did they do to deserve it...
__________________
Jacques & Mandy with Pumbaa II
www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11 Mar 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 51
Terrible news. My heart goes out to their family and friends.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Missing couple (Colombia to Alaska) MoroCycler Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 3 12 Jun 2007 10:50
Austrian couple missing in Bolivia MarkCh Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 1 13 Mar 2006 01:30
a couple of news and updates Jose Brito North Africa 1 18 Jan 2005 03:45
Missing tourists in Algeria - Latest Mad Dog North Africa 180 6 Mar 2004 20:28

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:01.