Kidnapped Kiwi believed to be free

Kidnapped New Zealander Dennis Corrin and six oil workers taken hostage in Ecuador fourth months ago are believed to have been freed.

Reports today said the kidnappers released the hostages who were being held in the Amazon jungle region.

One source said they were expected to be transferred to Ecuadorian capital Quito within hours.

Newspaper El Comercio reported last Friday that an unspecified ransom had been paid for the seven.

Mr Corrin, a helicopter pilot, had been in Ecuador only a week working for an American-based company when he was kidnapped at gunpoint by rebels while carrying out a geological survey.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.