(JNS) An Israeli citizen has been kidnapped in the Gondar region of northern Ethiopia, the foreign ministry has said.

It said a report had been received on Monday that a man had been abducted, without going into further detail.

"The Department for Israelis Abroad is in contact with his family members in Israel and is working with Interpol on the matter," a statement read.

Additionally, the Israeli consul in Addis Ababa is said to be in contact with local authorities to “bring about the release of the Israeli citizen as soon as possible, safe and sound.”

Israeli media said the abductee was 79-year-old and the kidnappers had demanded a £6,000 ransom for their release.

It was also reported that the man had sent a voicemail to his family saying: “Help me. I’m in the middle of the jungle.

"It’s raining hard. Help me… This trouble I wouldn’t wish upon my enemies.”

Israel does not currently advise against travel to the Horn of Africa country’s Amhara region, which includes Gondar, but the U.S. State Department warns of “sporadic violent conflict and civil unrest” there.