Sudanese rebels holding six Bulgarians: foreign ministry

January 29, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – At least six Bulgarian nationals are currently being detained by rebels form the Sudan People’s Liberation-North (SPLM-N), the country’s foreign affairs ministry said.

This comes days after a helicopter operated by a Bulgarian air carrier working for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) made a forced landing near the town of Kadugli, South Kordofan state.

The helicopter, the ministry said, was flying from Rumbek in South Sudan to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum and that the flight was cleared by the authorities from both nations.

Three officers of the Bulgarian air carrier and three helicopter crew members are being held.

“The government of Sudan has sent a military airplane to fly over the area. The airplane crew sighted the helicopter but did not notice any damage to it,” a statement from the Bulgarian foreign ministry reads in part.

“According to the manager of the Bulgarian air carrier in Sudan, the six Bulgarians are safe and feeling well,” it further added.

The Bulgarian government, however said, it was in constant touch with the Office of UN secretary general, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, the leadership of the WFP and other UN agencies which are working with the Bulgarian government and doing everything to ensure the six Bulgarian captives are released.

(ST)