This woman, aged 73 and living in Niger for 28 years, had already been the subject of kidnapping threats.
An Austrian woman was kidnapped in northern Niger, in the city of Agadez, the Austrian Foreign Ministry announced to AFP on Sunday.
Previously, he had declared that his embassy in Algiers – which is responsible for Niger – had “been informed of the possible kidnapping of an Austrian woman in Agadez”. The embassy added that it was in contact with partner countries and the European Union delegation, as well as with other regional authorities on site.
The authorities of the city of Agadez did not wish to comment. Local media outlet Air-Info Agadez reported that gunmen kidnapped Austrian Eva Gretzmacher, who lived in Agadez, known as the gateway to the desert, on Saturday evening.
Kidnappers at his home
According to information collected by Air-Info, the kidnappers showed up at his home and forced his guard to open the door at gunpoint. They then entered the house and forced Eva Gretzmacher into a V6 vehicle. They did not take any personal effects, according to local media.
Eva Gretzmacher, aged 73, has lived in Agadez for 28 years, according to Air-Info. According to Air-Info and the Austrian daily Kurier, Eva Gretzmacher, who was born in Vienna, created a center in 2010 carrying out projects in the fields of education, health, women’s autonomy, ecology, culture and the arts. In 2021, she had already been the subject of kidnapping threats, according to Air-Info.
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