ROME — Italy's government says an Italian technician and two other employees at a Syrian steel plant have been kidnapped.

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

Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said Monday 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.

A ministry official told Reuters that they were kidnapped in Tartus, the country's second largest port and about 55 miles from Latakia.

Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said in the statement that he was working with "all the facilities of the state involved" to ensure the release of the kidnapped Italian, Reuters reported.

Syria's 21-month civil war has claimed at least 40,000 lives. Italy is among several countries to have recognised opposition forces, fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad.