Xinhua - English

ROME, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- All elements showed that Italian freelance photographer Gabriele Torsello missing in southern Afghanistan had been kidnapped, Italy's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

Afghanistan's independent Pajhwok news agency reported earlier that five gunmen abducted the reporter on the highway from the capital of Helmand province to neighboring Kandahar province. An official in Helmand also confirmed the report, saying Torsello and his Afghan translator were abducted by five armed men on Saturday. Enditem

Italian journalist kidnapped in S. Afghanistan: reports

KABUL, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- An Italian photo-journalist was abducted by gunmen in southern Afghanistan, local media said Sunday.

Five gunmen seized Gabriele Torsello on the highway from the capital of Helmand province to neighboring Kandahar province, Pajhwok News Agency quoted traveling companion Gholam Mohammad as saying.