Ethiopian British embassy hostages released

FIVE British embassy hostages who were kidnapped in Ethiopia were on their way to being reunited with friends and family last night after leaving Eritrea, the Foreign Office said.

The five, who were released to Eritrean authorities following their ordeal, are believed to have left the country’s capital Asmara by plane.

Some of the group, who said in a statement that they were “treated well” by their captors, are thought to be travelling back to Britain.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “They have left Eritrea. But we are not saying what their plans are or where they are going.”

The five, based in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, including First Secretary Peter Rudge, were kidnapped on March 1 along with 13 Ethiopians accompanying them.

Foreign Office Minister Lord Treisman said: “My colleagues are on their way home so I am relieved for their families."