INDIAN PRIEST IN YEMEN SEEKS RESCUE AGAIN
Dubai, May 9: Father Tom Uzhunnalil, an Indian Catholic priest, abducted by terrorists in strife-torn Yemen, has made a fresh video appeal for urgent help after getting a “poor response” from authorities, saying his health was deteriorating quickly and required hospitalisation.
Father Tom, 58, who hails from Kerala, was abducted in March last year by a terror group. He had gone missing in Yemen after the Islamic State militant group attacked a care home run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.
Father Tom was captured from the southern Yemeni city of Aden by gunmen who killed at least 15 people at an old people’s home in an attack that was condemned by Pope Francis.
In the video carried on a news website, a fraillooking priest said, “I am Father Tom Uzhunnalil. My date of birth is August 18, 1958. I received the message of concern that you sent me my dear family people. I am thankful to you. Thank you very much.”
“They are treating me well to the extent that they are able. My health condition is deteriorating and I require hospitalisation as early as possible. “They contacted our Indian government several times and I have seen the message of their response. It was very very poor,” the white-bearded Father says. The date April 15, 2017 was scribbled on a piece of paper seen on his body.