American photojournalist Luke Somers and South African teacher Pierre Korkie have been killed during a rescue attempt by US and Yemeni forces.
The pair were murdered by their al Qaeda captors - 10 of whom were also killed - during the raid in the Shabwah region of Yemen, the US said.
It has been revealed Mr Korkie, 56, was due to be released on Sunday, but President Barack Obama authorised the raid because information "indicated that Luke's life was in imminent danger".
Yemen's national security chief, Ali al Ahmadi, said the militants planned to "execute" Mr Somers - who was born in Britain - on Saturday.
His sister Lucy, who had posted a YouTube video pleading for her brother's release hours before his death, paid tribute to a "loving creative and curious person".
She said: "He found a way of life and a people that he loved in Yemen, and worked tirelessly to raise awareness of people's plight, join people together, and help change situations for the better."
Penny Bearman, a family friend, said Mr Somers was a "well-loved and respected".
She added: "I think Luke would have wanted issues of extremism and terrorism to be addressed by stepping up the dialogue instead of resorting to conflict between nations."
The death of Mr Korkie was confirmed by the disaster relief group Gift of the Givers, who revealed his wife Yolande was told this morning: "The wait is almost over".
Mr and Mrs Korkie were taken hostage by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in May 2013 - though Mrs Korkie was released earlier this year.
Mr Somers was captured in September 2013 in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a.
Militants released a video on Wednesday threatening to kill him within three days if their demands were not met. The 33-year-old appeared in the footage saying he feared for his life.
A total of 40 US special operations forces were involved in the rescue attempt, according to US officials.
The troops, who were backed by Yemeni forces, got within 100 metres of the compound when they were spotted. A firefight ensued, during which US officials believe the pair were shot.
Officials cited by Reuters said the men were shot a number of times by at least one of their retreating guards, and not in crossfire.
American forces then pulled them from the compound and put them on an aircraft. Medical teams operated on them during a flight to the USS Makin Island, a Navy ship in the region.
Mr Korkie is believed to have died during the flight, while Mr Somers died on board the ship.
The raid was the second attempt to free Mr Somers in 10 days, and Mr Obama condemned his murder as "barbaric" and "more proof of the depths of AQAP's depravity".
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond condemned the killing. He said: "Luke had close links with the UK and his family have spoken about Luke's life and his work, and that is how he should be remembered."
"I salute the forces involved, who showed great courage in carrying out this mission."
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