The army in Mali says three Chinese nationals who were kidnapped in July have escaped their captors and been rescued by the security forces.

Armed men seized the three from a construction site in the south of the country.

Two Mauritanians abducted at the same time were freed 10 days later.

In a statement, the army said the hostages had managed to break free on Sunday and were located the following day in a joint operation involving ground and air forces.

The men are said to be in reasonable health.