Security sources from Ghat confirmed Saturday that the two Italians and one Canadian kidnapped in the desert near the city last September were set free and handed to an Italian special force that arrived Friday in Gaht airport.

The three foreign engineers, Danilo Calonego, Bruno Cacace and Frank Poccia, who is Canadian, were abducted on September 19 on the road that connects Tahlaa town to Ghat after they were stopped by unknown gunmen, according to the statements of the head of the media office at Ghat municipal council, Hassan Issa, at the time.

The three foreigners work for the Italian construction group Conicos that is responsible for many projects in Ghat.

Before the three were freed, a security operations room was formed by the Ghat municipal council to scour the city for them.

Later an Italian security team arrived in Tahlaa to gather information that could lead to the abductees.