Italy's government says an Italian technician and two other employees at a Syrian steel plant have been kidnapped, The Associated Press reports.

A statement from Italy's foreign ministry says the abductions took place near the Syrian town of Latakia, but didn't say when or by whom.

Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said Monday, Dec 17, the two workers kidnapped along with the Italian have different nationalities but did not identify them.

The Italian news agency ANSA said the Italian who was abducted is an engineer.