( CNN ) -- Three women who were seized along with six other foreign workers in Yemen have been killed , Yemeni government officials said Monday . South Korean officials discuss the kidnappings Monday . A South Korean woman reportedly was killed . `` It is with profound sorrow that the Yemeni government reports finding three bodies , '' according to a statement from Mohammed Albasha , a spokesman for Yemen 's Embassy in the United States . The statement said the dead were identified as a South Korean teacher and two German nurses in training , all in their 20s . They were found in the Noshour Valley in Safrah district in the province of Saada . The women were abducted Sunday along with five other Germans , including three children , and a Briton , according to Yemen 's state-run SABA news agency . Earlier , the Yemen Post said seven of the nine hostages were killed , citing the country 's interior ministry . But SABA reported later Monday the remaining six were believed to be alive , and security forces were searching for them . Albasha said the nine foreigners left the city of Saada without police escorts that are required due to the `` heightened security situation '' in the area . `` This event was a heinous crime and constitutes not only a violation against the peaceful principles of Islam , but also the precepts of humanity , '' the embassy spokesman said . `` Moreover , it does not reflect the good traditions and culture of Yemen . '' The Germany Foreign Ministry said it is in close contact with the German Embassy in Yemen but could n't confirm any details at this stage . Initial official statements said the group was apparently seized by Houthi rebels , Shiite militants who have been fighting the government for years , according to SABA . The militants are hoping to derail the peace and reconstruction process in Saada , which has been rocked by war in the past year , according to SABA . However , the news agency later reported Houthi rebels accused drug cartels of abducting the group and killing the three . In addition , SABA said a spokesman for the rebels accused regional tribes of being behind the kidnappings and slayings . Sunday 's abduction was the latest in a string of kidnappings of foreign workers in Yemen this year . All the previous hostages had been released unharmed , including 24 medical workers whom armed tribesman seized last week in Yemen 's Amran province . CNN 's Caroline Faraj , Diana Magnay and Mohammed Jamjoom contributed to this report .
South Korean teacher , two German nurses in training found dead , Yemen says . Comment: But Houthi rebels blame drug cartels and regional tribes , news agency says .