KATHMANDU: A Nepali national was among 16 illegal migrants who were held hostage by three Pakistanis in Greece, Associated Press reported.

The South Asian migrants, including three minors, had reportedly entered Greece via Turkey about two weeks ago.

The hostage takers, who police said are members of a human traffickers' network, had demanded 2,500 euros from each for the safe release of 13 Pakistanis, one Indian and one Nepali.

The hostage takers were arrested after one of the Pakistani migrants escaped a farmhouse outside the city of Thessaloniki and informed the police, according to the report.

An operation was launched on Saturday night to rescue the migrants from the hostage takers' clutches.