The 19 hostages abducted by armed men in South-western Egypt on 19 September have been released and are in good health, Egypt’s state-run television reported. The release comes one day after a Sudanese presidential advisor said that Sudanese troops had pursued the kidnappers, killing the leader and a number of other gunmen. Egypt’s Minister of Tourism Zohair Garanah said that those taken captive were “well-fed and taken care of.” The hostages include 8 Egyptians, five Germans, five Italians and one Romanian. They were traveling in South-western Egypt on their way to Gilf El Kebir caves that are home to ancient wall paintings when they were kidnapped. The kidnappers had reportedly demanded a ransom of US$6 million for the release of the Germans among the hostages.
