Two American tourists kidnapped in Egypt

ST. CATHERINE, Egypt, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Two American tourists were kidnapped from a tour bus in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula Friday, security officials said.

Gunmen attacked the bus and kidnapped the two tourists as well as an Egyptian tour guide, The New York Times reported.

The bus was attacked in the town of St. Catherine, a tourist hub near Mount Sinai, police said.

Interior Ministry officials said they believe the assailants were Bedouins and officials were working with tribal leaders in the area to try to locate them.

The kidnappers "want certain detainees released and retried," said Gen. Marwan Mustapha, spokesman for the Egyptian Interior Ministry. "Our authorities are dealing with the situation."

The abduction came just days after 24 Chinese workers and a translator were kidnapped by Bedouins en route to a military-owned cement factory, CNN reported.

Bedouins Tuesday blocked a road and kidnapped the workers, asking that the Egyptian government release prisoners.

The Chinese hostages were released a day later.