Tanzanian conjoined twins separated in Chennai Hospital Monday Dec Dec 16,2013

Eight-month-old conjoined twin babies from Tanzania, Ericana and Eludi, have been surgically separated at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai.

In a statement, doctors said the babies are stable.

"At 21:00 hours, Ericana and Eluidi have been separated and are stable. Reconstruction surgery on both babies will resume and close at midnight," said lead Surgeon Dr V Sripathi.

It was a first of its kind surgery in India on conjoined male twins

The infants shared the tail portion of their spinal cord and urethra. Their genitals remained fused.

The surgery began at 7 AM on Monday Dec Dec 16,2013.They were separated after 14 hours.

The procedure could cost between Rs. 20-40 lakhs. Their single mother is financially weak, and hence the Tanzanian government, according to the hospital, has come forward to sponsor a major part with the hospital prepared to chip in with the rest if required.