17 Eritreans freed from human trafficking gang in Sudan

Sudanese security authorities have freed 17 Eritrean nationals who were abducted by a human trafficking gang on the Sudanese-Eritrean border, media reported Thursday.

"Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Service has managed to free 17 Eritreans who were kidnapped by a human trafficking gang," xinhua reported citing the Sudanese Media Center (SMC).

"The kidnapped have been freed after a successful operation in which the security authorities exchanged in fire with the kidnappers at Ghabat Um Sitaiba area in Kassala State, some 810 km east of the Sudanese capital Khartoum and about 27 km from the Sudanese- Eritrean border," the report said.

It noted that the kidnapped Eritreans were found chained in their hands and legs and signs of physical torture appeared on their bodies.

The SMC further noted that the kidnappers have managed to flee in four vehicles.