Seven Indian nationals are being held captive in western Ethiopia by local workers demanding their salaries, media reports say.

The seven work for an Indian firm building roads in Ethiopia.

Local staff have allegedly held the seven for the last five days because they had not been paid salaries, the Ethiopia Observer reported.

One of the seven, Chaitanya Hari, was quoted by India's The Hindu newspaper as saying:

Quote Message: The safety situation is getting worse day by day. In our camp, Indians are not allowed to go outside to bring food, water and other essential items. The local people fear that once we leave the camp, they will not get their salaries.”

The safety situation is getting worse day by day. In our camp, Indians are not allowed to go outside to bring food, water and other essential items. The local people fear that once we leave the camp, they will not get their salaries.”

The company has not yet commented. (BBC)