This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-38102721
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ethiopia releases vintage air rally pilots | Ethiopia releases vintage air rally pilots |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The pilots of at least 20 aircraft taking part in a vintage plane rally have been released after being detained in Ethiopia, officials say. | The pilots of at least 20 aircraft taking part in a vintage plane rally have been released after being detained in Ethiopia, officials say. |
| The group had been held at the airport in Gambela, western Ethiopia after crossing "illegally" into the country from Sudan. | The group had been held at the airport in Gambela, western Ethiopia after crossing "illegally" into the country from Sudan. |
| Organisers say the group is now free to continue their journey to South Africa. | Organisers say the group is now free to continue their journey to South Africa. |
| The aviators are travelling the length of Africa in biplanes built between 1920s and 1940s and support aircraft. | |
| Africa Live: More on this and other stories | Africa Live: More on this and other stories |
| The group announced on its Facebook page that: "VintageAirRally crew are allowed to fly on from Ethiopia!" | The group announced on its Facebook page that: "VintageAirRally crew are allowed to fly on from Ethiopia!" |
| The rally had been suspended while diplomats tried to secure the release of least 47 crew members in the past two days. | The rally had been suspended while diplomats tried to secure the release of least 47 crew members in the past two days. |
| The planes took off from the Greek island of Crete on 12 November on a 13,000km (8,000 mile) journey to Cape Town. | The planes took off from the Greek island of Crete on 12 November on a 13,000km (8,000 mile) journey to Cape Town. |
| However, the head of Ethiopia's civil aviation authority, Wosenyele Hungnall, told the BBC that the aircraft had crossed illegally into Ethiopian airspace from Sudan. | However, the head of Ethiopia's civil aviation authority, Wosenyele Hungnall, told the BBC that the aircraft had crossed illegally into Ethiopian airspace from Sudan. |
| A British pilot who had been reported missing was found to be among those detained. | A British pilot who had been reported missing was found to be among those detained. |
| On its Facebook page, Vintage Air Rally said that Maurice Kirk, 72, was with other pilots in Gambela who were all "safe and accounted for". | On its Facebook page, Vintage Air Rally said that Maurice Kirk, 72, was with other pilots in Gambela who were all "safe and accounted for". |
| The aviators aim to cross 10 countries, making 37 stops in more than a month with Kenya as their next planned stop. | The aviators aim to cross 10 countries, making 37 stops in more than a month with Kenya as their next planned stop. |