PKK kidnaps 3 German mountain climbers

ANKARA, Turkey, July 9 (UPI) -- Three German mountain climbers were kidnapped in eastern Turkey by Kurdish rebels, government officials said Wednesday.

Provincial governor Mehmet Cetin said militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party -- also known by the initials PKK -- seized the climbers as they were climbing Mount Ararat in Agri province, Hurriyet reported.

"The terrorists said they carried out this action because of the German government's recent moves against PKK associations and sympathizers," Cetin said.

A search and rescue operation has been under way since the three were kidnapped late Tuesday, Hurriyet reported. The trio was part of a 13-member team.