All 29 kidnapped Chinese in Sudan freed

Tampa Star (IANS) Tuesday 7th February, 2012

All 29 Chinese nationals abducted by rebels in Sudan last month have been released after 11 days in captivity, Xinhua reported.

The Chinese were held Jan 28 after gunmen from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement attacked a camp of workers of a Chinese company operating at a road construction site near Sudan's Al-Abbasiya Tagali town in the volatile South Kordofan state.

A total of 47 Chinese were in the camp, among whom 29 were abducted by the gunmen.

The other 18 managed to fled to nearby areas. Later, 17 were found by the Sudanese army and taken to a safe place, and one was confirmed dead after having been missing for days.

Sudanese authorities Tuesday handed over the body of the dead Chinese worker to the Chinese side.

The workers Tuesday boarded a plane chartered by the Red Cross in Sudan shortly after being released by the rebels. They reached Kenyan capital Nairobi in the evening.

The freed people are expected to set off for China after a short stay in Nairobi.

Qiu Xuejun, head of the Chinese team in Sudan to assist the rescue operation, said: "The 29 people are generally in sound physical condition and in stable moods. After a brief adjustment in Kenya, they will be arranged to fly home as soon as possible."

The Chinese foreign ministry late Tuesday issued a statement, expressing appreciation and sincere gratitude for the efforts made in the peaceful and safe rescue work by relevant parties, including Sudan South Sudan, the Red Cross, Kenya, the UN and other organisations.