The kidnapping could hit Egypt's economy, which is dependent on tourism [EPA]

Ali Yousuf, director of protocol at the Sudanese foreign ministry, told AFP news agency on Thursday that the group were "about 13 to 15 kilometres across the border".

"All hostages are well, according to our information, and we are monitoring the situation," he said.

The safari group was attacked almost a week ago near Gilf al-Kabir region, a sandstone plateau close to the border with Libya and Sudan.

While Germany's foreign ministry said only that it had formed a "crisis team", Egyptian officials said Germany was negotiating a ransom with the kidnappers.

Egypt's Middle East News Agency said the ransom demand was as high as $15 million, while Zoheir Garana, the Egyptian tourism minister, has said the tour company that organised the safari was negotiating in the range of $6 million.

Sudanese forces have reportedly been deployed to a nearby area.

"Military forces are in the area, but we are not going to make any move that puts the lives of those being held in any risk," Yousuf said.

"Germany is in contact with the kidnappers, and Sudan is remaining in close contact with the Egyptian, Italian, German and Romanian authorities."

Egypt has said Germany is negotiating through the German wife of the Egyptian tour operator who is among the missing, saying she would be given the ransom to hand over.

Egyptian officials said the abduction took place on Friday, when the tour leader and owner of the company managed to phone his German wife.

She in turn reported the incident to the authorities.

The tour leader told her that a group of armed men who appeared "African" drove up to them while they were pitching their tents.

It was not clear when the phone call took place but it was traced to Sudan.

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