New Zealand seeks release of abducted journalists

The government was "very concerned" about the safety of New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig, Clark said.

Photo: New Zealand seeks release of abducted journalists

Wiig, 36, and American reporter Steve Centanni, 60, were working for Fox News when they were abducted Monday.

The men, along with a bodyguard, were parked near the headquarters of the Palestinian security services when two trucks filled with gunmen pulled up and boxed them in, according to a Fox News employee.

The gunmen took the two reporters out of their vehicle, which was marked "TV," and drove away, said the Fox employee in Gaza, who declined to give his name because he was not authorized to release information about the incident.

Major militant groups in Gaza denied having any connection to the incident and there was no immediate word of any demands made.

However, Wiig's wife, Anita McNaught, said Fox representatives told her negotiations for their release were already under way.

McNaught, who is currently in Syria, told New Zealand's National Radio she intends to travel to the area overnight to help seek the release of the two men.

The head of consular services at New Zealand's Foreign Ministry, Rosie Patterson, said they were working through the Palestinian Authority.

New Zealand has no representation in the immediate area, and currently is working through British diplomats, she said.

Wiig's twin brother, Sven, said his brother was aware of the dangers he faced after spending the past five years in war zones and would have taken all possible precautions.

He told National Radio that his brother was "even more vulnerable" because he was working for the U.S.-based Fox network during his assignment in Gaza.