On the dusty roads of central Afghanistan, a six-week kidnap ordeal at the hands of the Taleban has finally ended for a group of South Korean Christian aid workers.

With the help of tribal elders, the hostages were released in several groups over two days at separate locations around Ghazni province.

Three groups were released on Wednesday, followed by another two groups on Thursday.

They were all driven to safety in Red Cross vehicles. Yonhap news agency said they were taken to a US army base near Ghazni to rest.

Red Cross officials said the group were "relieved" and physically in good shape.

Relatives of the hostages were delighted to hear of the release. They have had an anxious wait for news of their loved ones.

The church to which the hostages belong said all the families were "rejoicing".

But joy at the release of the 19 is also tinged with sadness. Two men with the group were shot dead soon after being kidnapped.

The group are expected to move to a South Korean army base north of Kabul for check-ups before making their journey home.

I'm glad they were finally released! Such a shame that two men were killed though. So senseless!

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'You'll get over it...' It's the clich's that cause the trouble. To lose someone you love is to alter your life for ever. You don't get over it because 'it' is the person you loved. The pain stops, there are new people, but the gap never closes. How could it? The particularness of someone who mattered enough to grieve over is not erased by anyone but death. This hole in my heart is in the shape of you and no one else can fit. Why would I want them to??