Nairobi/Khartoum - Three western hostages who work for international aid organization Doctors Without Borders are free after being kidnapped earlier this week in western Sudan, according to reports in a local newspaper.

Quoting a government official, the Sudan Tribune reported the release Saturday without citing any further details.

On Friday, the Italian government had announced the release of the Canadian nurse, Italian physician and a French coordinator, but then had to withdraw its announcement.

The three were kidnapped late Wednesday or early Thursday. They had worked in Serif Umra in the province of North Darfur for the Belgian section of the aid organization. (dpa)