U.S. urges travelers to avoid Algerian desert

The US State Department urged Americans to avoid travel to the Sahara Desert areas of southeastern Algeria, where more than 25 European tourists have disappeared since February.

The State Department also recommended in a release Wednesday that U.S. citizens evaluate carefully their security and safety before traveling to Algeria. A total of 10 Austrian, 15 German, 4 Swiss, one Dutch and one Swedish tourists have disappeared, for still unknown reasons, while Algerian authorities are still seeking clues.