2 European tourists raped at gunpoint in Australia

Sydney – A man was arrested Thursday after two European tourists were allegedly raped at gunpoint as they slept in their car in the Australian desert town of Alice Springs.

Police said the women, whose nationalities were not released, were sleeping in their parked vehicle on Wednesday morning when they were attacked.

Commander Michael Murphy said the men allegedly forced the women to have sex with them.

“One of the males was armed with what has been described as a rifle. Money and tobacco was also stolen from the victims,” Murphy said.

The men fled in another car and a 17-year-old was subsequently arrested.

Northern Territory Tourism Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said the incident was shocking but expressed hope it would not put off tourists.

“It is absolutely horrific for any woman to be attacked in such a way anywhere in the world, in particular here in the Northern Territory,” she told ABC radio.

“We want people to feel safe here… irrespective of whether they are visitors or whether they live here.”