French tourists seized in Cameroon near Nigeria border

Seven French tourists have been kidnapped by gunmen in Cameroon, near the border with Nigeria, French President Francois Hollande has said.

He says they belong to the same family and were seized by a "known terrorist group based in Nigeria".

Mr Hollande added that the seven - including four children - were probably taken to northern Nigeria. Cameroon's government later confirmed this.

France urged all its nationals in the area to leave as quickly as possible.

The French foreign ministry said on its website citizens were "officially advised not to go to the far north of Cameroon (the shores of Lake Chad in the South Maroua), and the border with Nigeria, until further notice".

Mr Hollande said the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram may have been behind the kidnapping.

Italian, British, Greek and Lebanese workers are thought to be among those held after an attack on a construction project in Bauchi state.

Ansaru also says it is holding a French national, Francis Colump, who was seized in the northern state of Katsina.