Three German holidaymakers seized by members of the Kurdistan Workers party (PKK) in Turkey have been set free, twelve days after being captured.

The Turkish foreign ministry said the climbers were in its care and were in good condition after their release on Sunday.

The mountaineers were captured on July 8 while climbing on Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey with 10 other people.

It is alleged that the PKK, which is fighting for an autonomous state for Kurds, took the trio in protest over pressure being applied to the group's supporters in Germany.

Burak Ozugergin, a foreign ministry spokesman, said details of the operation to free the men would be announced later.