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It is believed they were visiting the world-famous gorilla sanctuary the Virunga National Park.

A Congo park service spokesman confirmed that the British national have been "taken hostage".

The Congolese Instittue of For Nature Conservation's head of communications Joel Wenga told Retuers they cannot release too many details.

He said: "For the moment the ICCN cannot communicate much about the incident because the hostages are still in captivity. That would put their lives in danger."