Austria's foreign ministry says a female citizen has been abducted by unknown assailants in the military-ruled West African country of Niger.
He confirmed the incident to AFP and said he was aware of the “possible kidnapping of an Austrian woman” in Agadez, which is 900 km (559 miles) from the capital Niamey.
The woman was reportedly forced into a 4×4 vehicle by unidentified individuals in the Fada neighborhood of Agadez, on the edge of the Sahara desert, Reuters reported.
The victim, named Eva Gretzmacher, was a development worker in her mid-70s and had lived in Niger for more than two decades, according to local media site, Air information Agadez.
Niger has not yet commented on the incident.
Air Info reported that the kidnappers showed up at Mrs Gretzmacher's house with a gun and forced their way inside. They did not take anything else, reports said.
Ms Gretzmacher is said to have spearheaded projects in education, health, women's empowerment and culture.
Austria's foreign ministry said it was working with the EU delegation and authorities on the ground.
Niger has been battling an Islamist insurgency for years.
The military junta has come under pressure for failing to curb militant attacks, one of its justifications for ousting democratically elected President Mohammed Bazum in July 2023.
Niger, along with its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, has struggled with attacks by groups linked to Al Qaeda and ISIS.
After the coup, Niger called on France and other Western powers to withdraw their military bases and formed a security alliance with junta-led neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso.