Dubai, Dec. 3 : Wrong maps and a faulty propeller landed five British sailors in Iranian waters, it has emerged.

According to The Telegraph, the five were freed on Wednesday morning by Iran''s Revolutionary Guard, who concluded the sailors'' incursion into waters near the island of Sirri 60 miles off Dubai in the Gulf had been "a mistake".

Before their release, they had been blindfolded and questioned by the Iranian authorities, who had threatened "serious measures".

The sailors arrived in Dubai today at the Dubai International Marine Club and were greeted by Guy Warrington, the British Consul General.

Their families wept "tears of joy" as confirmation of their release reached them. (ANI)