German hostages found dead in Yemen

A Yemeni security official says three German women hostages have been found dead, their bodies mutilated.

The official says shepherds found the bodies this morning in the mountainous northern Saada province, near the town of el-Nashour, which is known as a hideout for al Qaida militants.

A tribal leader in the area says al Qaida was behind the killing.

The three were among a group of nine foreigners, believed to include two Britons and seven Germans, abducted on Friday in the remote area.

The Interior Ministry said the foreigners, who were not identified, were kidnapped while on a picnic.