Addis Ababa — Five of the kidnapped British Embassy staff were released unharmed and have reunited with their families safely. The fate of the eight Ethiopians who were abducted with them, however, still remains unclear.

The Ethiopians were traveling as tour guides and translators when on March one armed individuals abducted them along with the British citizens. The group was in northern Ethiopia on a site-seeing tour.

On Thursday, at the British Embassy compound here, which was under tight security, Ambassador Bob Dewan issued a press statement in which he expressed his concerns for the abducted Ethiopians.

"My deep concerns and thoughts go out to the Ethiopians who were with our five, and for whom we do not have yet similar news. We hope for their safe return as soon as possible."

Despite admitting that they were aware of the whereabouts of the abductees, government officials, however, have been cautious not to divulge details of the matter.

Friends, families and others are now appealing to those responsible to release the eight Ethiopians unharmed.

During a vigil that was held outside a church in Addis Ababa, the chairperson of the Interfaith Peace Group, Mussie Hailu made an appeal saying: "To those who continue to hold the Ethiopians, you have spoken and you have been heard. Now put right what is wrong and help them find their way home again."

Friends of the eight Ethiopians have also called on the international community to do its level best in helping the kidnapped released.

"What the world did for the Europeans should be done for them. The whole world should be shouting for them," Samson Teshome, who knew one of the kidnapped, told Reuters.

Meanwhile, the incident has sparked tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia, whose relation remains tense over a border row that led to a two-year war.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of masterminding the abductions and demanded the immediate safe release of the hostages.

Minster of Information Berhan Hailu, is an interview with the VOA, said: "We have serious concern about them."

"We have expressed our views that the Eritrean government should release the people as soon as possible and urgently. The international community should have to assist us in such a problem."

Eritrea, however, has consistently denied that it had any involvement in the incident.

Eritrean Presidential Spokesperson Yemane Gebreab told news agencies that "these are outrageous allegations with no factual basis."