The Red Cross was taking the men to a safe location to be turned over the Ethiopian and Chinese authorities, said Patrick Megevand, spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ethiopia.


Late Sunday, the Ethiopian government said the oil workers had arrived safely in the town of Degehabur, according to a statement released by the official Ethiopian News Agency.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the attack on the Chinese-owned oil exploration field in eastern Ethiopia on April 24 that left 65 Ethiopians and nine Chinese workers dead. The group said six Chinese workers "were removed from the battlefield for their own safety." Ethiopian and Chinese officials said seven Chinese workers were missing.