Chinese freed in Egypt after 15 hours
Source: Xinhua |
February 2, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE workers held captive in Egypt have been released, an official with the Chinese embassy in Cairo said yesterday.
All 25 were in "good condition," said Ma Jianchun, the embassy's commercial affairs counselor.
They were freed at around 3am local time yesterday after having been held for around 15 hours in the northern Sinai town of Arish.
They are staying in a military hotel while further arrangements are made, said Ma, who met the workers after their release.
"We were worried and nervous after being held by the locals. However, the Chinese embassy kept contact with us through text messages and was making efforts to rescue us, which made us feel relieved a lot," a 25-year-old worker surnamed Pan said.
Pan said they did not suffer any injuries or loss of personal property during their ordeal. "We are really thankful for the Chinese government, embassy and the efforts of Egyptian authorities," he said.
The Chinese embassy and the workers' employer had been able to send them food, clothes and medicine.
"We had expected the problem to be solved in one or two days. But it was settled so quickly. We felt we were like dreaming a dream," Pan said.
The workers were taken hostage by people demanding the release of relatives detained over suspected involvement in attacks in South Sinai between 2004 and 2006, in which dozens of people died.
All 25 were in "good condition," said Ma Jianchun, the embassy's commercial affairs counselor.
They were freed at around 3am local time yesterday after having been held for around 15 hours in the northern Sinai town of Arish.
They are staying in a military hotel while further arrangements are made, said Ma, who met the workers after their release.
"We were worried and nervous after being held by the locals. However, the Chinese embassy kept contact with us through text messages and was making efforts to rescue us, which made us feel relieved a lot," a 25-year-old worker surnamed Pan said.
Pan said they did not suffer any injuries or loss of personal property during their ordeal. "We are really thankful for the Chinese government, embassy and the efforts of Egyptian authorities," he said.
The Chinese embassy and the workers' employer had been able to send them food, clothes and medicine.
"We had expected the problem to be solved in one or two days. But it was settled so quickly. We felt we were like dreaming a dream," Pan said.
The workers were taken hostage by people demanding the release of relatives detained over suspected involvement in attacks in South Sinai between 2004 and 2006, in which dozens of people died.
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