Bhopal, Mar 17 (PTI): Terming as "unfortunate" the incident of gangrape of a Swiss woman, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta today said foreign tourists were not following rules about informing local police about their movements.

"What happened is unfortunate for our nation. When foreign tourists come, they should inform the SP (Superintendent of Police) about their plans. This is the system but it is not being followed," he said.

The Swiss female tourist, on a cycling trip along with her husband, was allegedly gangraped by seven to eight men at a forest area in Datia district, on the night of March 15.

The Minister said they will be taking steps to ensure such incidents do not recur.

"They had their tent in the outer area of the city but the incident should not happen, so we will think what more can be done for foreign tourists," he said.

The alleged offence took place at Jhadia village, eight kms from Datia town, at around 9 pm on March 15, when the 39-year-old woman along with her partner was touring the region on a bicycle as part of their India tour.

The couple, who are adventure tourists, was camping at a forest area for the night while on their way back from Orchha, home to temples of Lord Ram, and were proceeding to Agra when they were attacked and looted by some persons, who took away their laptops and other valuables.