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Hostages' bodies 'found in Yemen' Yemen recovers hostages' bodies
(1 day later)
At least three foreign hostages seized in Yemen have been found dead, officials say. Germany has "strongly condemned" the killing of two German nurses who were recently kidnapped in Yemen.
They are thought to be from a group of nine foreigners, three of them children, who were kidnapped last week in a mountainous northern area. The bodies of the two women, along with that of a South Korean aid worker, have been flown to the capital Sanaa from Saada, a remote area in northern Yemen.
The group comprised seven Germans, a British national and a South Korean. Yemeni officials say they are searching for six other foreigners in the group - including three children - who were kidnapped while picnicking on Friday.
There are conflicting reports from Yemen on exactly how many bodies have been found. One unconfirmed report says all nine hostages have been killed. There have been conflicting reports about what has happened to them.
Another report - also unconfirmed - quoted officials saying two children had been found alive. "This is very sad news and we strongly condemn this crime," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in reference to the two German nurses.
No-one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, which Yemen blamed on a local Shia rebel group. They have been presumed dead by German officials although Yemeni authorities have not officially identified the bodies.
More than 200 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Yemen in the last 15 years, often for ransom. But most have been released unharmed. "The foreign ministry's crisis centre is trying to investigate the fate of the other hostages. So far there is no concrete information and it is important not to speculate," Mrs Merkel added.
Also on Tuesday, Seoul confirmed that South Korean citizens had been murdered after being kidnapped in Yemen. Officials gave her name as Eom Young-Sun, 34.
A Yemeni government spokesman said on Tuesday that the whereabouts of the other six foreigners was unknown.
The group comprised seven Germans - including a family of five - one British national and his South Korean wife. The kidnapped adults all worked at a hospital in Saada, the state news agency said.
Yemen's interior ministry earlier said they had been kidnapped while on a picnic on Friday in the area.
Shepherds found the three bodies on Monday morning in the mountainous northern Saada province near the town of el-Nashour, according to local officials.
There is confusion about the fate of the missing hostages. One unconfirmed report on Monday said all nine hostages were dead, while another report - also unconfirmed - quoted officials saying two children had been found alive.
Militant groupsMilitant groups
Shepherds found the bodies of three hostages on Monday morning in the mountainous northern Saada province near the town of el-Nashour, according to local officials. More than 200 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Yemen in the last 15 years, often for ransom. But most have been released unharmed.
"The fate of the other six abducted people is still unknown," a statement said.
However, a security official in the capital Sanaa said the other six had also been found dead.
To add to the confusion, another local official said seven bodies had been found but that two children had been found alive, AFP news agency reported.
FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World ServiceFROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service
Yemen's Interior Ministry earlier said the foreigners had been kidnapped while on a picnic on Friday in the area. No-one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
Authorities said the group included a German doctor, his wife and three children, and also a male British engineer and a female South Korean teacher. The Yemeni government blamed a local Shia rebel group, led by Abdulmalik al-Houthi, for the kidnapping, but it has denied any involvement.
The kidnapped adults all worked at a hospital in Saada, the state news agency said. The group has fought a sporadic insurgency in the Zaidi Shia heartland between Sanaa and the border with Saudi Arabia.
British and German government officials said on Monday they were investigating reports of the deaths. A local tribal leader in the area, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press news agency, blamed al-Qaeda.
"We are pressing ahead for examination of this information. For the moment, I cannot give any confirmation," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
South Korea's foreign ministry also said it was checking the reported deaths.
The Yemeni government blamed a local Shia rebel group, led by Abdulmalik al-Houthi, for the kidnapping.
The group has fought a sporadic insurgency in the Zaidi Shia heartland between Sanaa, and the border with Saudi Arabia.
But it denied any involvement in a statement.
A local tribal leader in the area, speaking to the Associated Press news agency anonymously, blamed al-Qaeda.
Al-Qaeda is known to have operated in the area, and analysts say it may be regrouping in Yemen after coming under pressure in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.Al-Qaeda is known to have operated in the area, and analysts say it may be regrouping in Yemen after coming under pressure in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
CIA Director Leon Panetta said last week that Somalia and Yemen may have become safe havens for the group.CIA Director Leon Panetta said last week that Somalia and Yemen may have become safe havens for the group.
Yemeni authorities said on Sunday they had arrested Hassan Hussein Bin Alwan, described as the al-Qaeda's financier in the region and one of its "most dangerous members". Yemeni authorities said on Sunday they had arrested Hassan Hussein Bin Alwan, described as al-Qaeda's financier in the region and one of its "most dangerous members".