The World Food Program says six of its crew members who were kidnapped by the SPLM-North in Sudan have been handed over safely to their office in South Sudan.

The six Bulgarian crew members were captured when their helicopter went down in South Kordofan State last week.

The SPLM-North had earlier said it was holding the six WFP crew members and they were unhurt.

It confirmed the crew’s relationship with WFP before making a conditional offer for them to be evacuated by air.

A group known as the New Sudan Women’s League says they engaged with the SPLM-North to arrange the return of the crew.

“It is regrettable that this incident took place. However we are greatly relieved that the WFP crew members are unhurt and back with us,” said WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin, in a statement.

The helicopter made an emergency landing under fire as it was flying from Rumbek in South Sudan to Khartoum in Sudan where it was due to undergo regular maintenance.

UN Humanitarian Air Service, managed by WFP, provides a critical service for the entire humanitarian community in South Sudan.