( CNN ) -- A Frenchwoman kidnapped from her holiday home in northern Kenya and taken to Somalia has died , the French Foreign Ministry said Wednesday . A gang of 10 armed men seized Marie Dedieu this month from her home on Manda Island , prompting a sea battle between Kenyan forces and her abductors . Kenyan officials sent mediators into Somalia a day later to negotiate her release . Dedieu lived in a luxury home on the scenic Lamu archipelago for about six months out of the year . Kenyan officials and an acquaintance said the woman , in her 60s , used a wheelchair and was not in good health . `` The contacts through which the French government was trying to release Marie Dedieu ... have announced her death , '' the ministry said in a statement , adding the date and circumstances of the death can not be specified . The ministry said Dedieu 's death `` is almost sure '' even if it does not have her body . `` She was an ill and disabled woman , '' Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said . `` This is therefore a deeply barbaric and violent act . France condemns firmly this act . '' `` Marie Dedieu 's health , the uncertainty about the conditions of her detention , the fact that the abductors had probably refused to give her the medication we had sent her , make us think that this tragic end is unfortunately the most plausible one , '' the ministry statement said . Dedieu 's friends and relatives have been notified , it said . `` The French government wants to say that it is deeply moved , saddened and that it supports Marie Dedieu 's relatives , '' the statement said . `` The government also wants to express its indignation following the complete lack of humanity and cruelty from the abductors of our compatriot . We want them to be identified and brought to justice . '' The statement said the government is requesting `` the repatriation of our compatriot 's body . '' The Kenyan government sent its condolences to Dedieu 's `` family , friends and colleagues '' in a statement Wednesday . `` The kidnapping and detention of Marie Dedieu was a terror act not only against her , but also against Kenya , her home country France and the entire world , '' the statement said . `` ... The Kenyan government thanks the French government and the people of France for their continued support even during this moment of loss . '' Dedieu 's abduction was the second in the area in a month , a major blow to Kenya , which relies on tourism dollars . Gunmen seized British tourist Judith Tebbutt and killed her husband near Lamu last month . Security analysts have said Tebbutt is being held by pirates in a remote corner of Somalia . British government officials have asked journalists not to reveal her exact location to avoid abduction attempts from rival gangs . France and Britain warned travelers to avoid the Kenyan coastline near Somalia in the wake of the abductions . Kenyan officials have said they believe the kidnappings are carried out by the Al-Shabaab Somali militant group . A third incident involved the kidnapping of two Spanish aid workers at the Dadaab refugee camp last week . Kenyan forces crossed into Somalia this week to pursue the militant fighters after the kidnappings heightened tensions in East Africa . In the statement Wednesday , the Kenyan government said operations against Al-Shabaab were continuing .
NEW : The Kenyan government sends condolences over Marie Dedieu 's death . The French Foreign Ministry says Dedieu 's death has been announced . Comment: Kenyan officials sent mediators into Somalia to negotiate her release .