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Ethiopia releases vintage air rally pilots Freed Africa vintage air rally pilots fly to Kenya
(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. A group of international pilots taking part in a vintage plane rally are now back in the air after being freed from detention 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 aviators are bound for Kenya as their mission to fly the length of Africa is now back on course.
About 20 aircraft had been impounded 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
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. Africa Live: More on this and other stories
The planes took off from the Greek island of Crete on 12 November on a 13,000km (8,000 mile) journey to Cape Town. Authorities in Ethiopia, which is currently in a state of emergency, said the planes had landed without permission.
The rally was suspended while diplomats tried to secure the release of least 47 crew members.
Participants, from 13 different countries, are attempting to cover 13,000km (8,000 miles) using biplanes built between the 1920s and 1940s, and support aircraft.
The planes took off for Cape Town from the Greek island of Crete on 12 November.
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 while making 37 stops in the month-long journey.