Kidnapped UK tourists in DR Congo released

GOMA, DR Congo: Two British tourists who were kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been freed, the UK government and Congolese park officials said Sunday.

Their vehicle was attacked on Friday in the Virunga National Park in North Kivu province, a famed haven for gorillas and other endangered species. Their park guard was killed and their driver was also kidnapped and injured.

The Britons later identified as Robert Jesty and Bethan Davies were released unharmed, the British government said.

“I am delighted to announce that two British nationals who were held hostage in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been released,” UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in a statement.

“I pay tribute to the DRC authorities and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation for their tireless help during this terrible case.”

A Foreign Office spokeswoman told AFP that the two Britons were not hurt and the ministry would continue to provide support to them and their families, who released a brief statement.

“We are very relieved that there has been a positive outcome to the kidnapping and are very grateful for the excellent support we have received,” they said in the statement released by the foreign office.

They also said they would make no further comments and asked for privacy.

Johnson also paid tribute to Virunga Park ranger Rachel Makissa Baraka, who was killed during the kidnapping, as did Park director Emmanuel de Merode, from Belgium, who said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of the ecoguard of the park, while protecting the passengers and driver.

“We want to convey our deepest condolences to her family and our sincere gratitude for her courage in the service of Congo.”

According to local press reports, the Congolese army reacted quickly in their attempt to try to find the kidnapping victims.

Cosma Wi lungula, head of the Congolais Institute for the Conservation of Nature ( ICCN), praised the work of the ‘brave team’ that resulted in a ‘quick resolution of this incident’.

One of the most important conservation sites in the world, Virunga Park covers 7,800 square kilometres along a swathe of eastern DR Congo abutting the border with Uganda and Rwanda. It also covers most of Lake Edward and the Ishasha river valley. — AFP