Eleven hostages freed after 10 days in captivity in Egypt have begun returning to their home countries, national leaders said.

Germany's Interior Ministry said five German tourists who were among the kidnapped group arrived back in Germany Tuesday, CNN reported.

The hostages were released unharmed Monday.

Other kidnap victims leaving Egypt were five Italians and one Romanian. Others who had been held with them were eight Egyptian guides, drivers and guards.

The group was kidnapped while touring a remote area of southern Egypt near the Sudan border by Sudanese and Chadians, apparently members of a rebel group fighting the Sudanese government in Darfur, CNN said.

Although ransom was sought, none was paid, Egyptian Tourism Minister Zoheir Garana said. (c) UPI