THANK YOU HM, SAYS INDIAN PRIEST AFTER RESCUE FROM YEMEN

In response to HM’s Royal Orders, Omani and Yemeni officials helped in the release of priest

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: An Indian priest kidnapped after an attack on a care home in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden in 2016 has been freed and flown to Oman, the government has revealed.

Father Tom Uzhunnalil was abducted in March 2016 when four gunmen posing as relatives of one of the residents at the home burst inside, killing four Indian nuns, two Yemeni female staff, eight elderly residents and a guard.

The Sultanate helped to find and rescue the Vatican employee, the government said. Father Tom reached Rome on Tuesday night, according to a Catholic church spokesman in Bangalore. “Fr Tom has reached Rome. Earlier, we had received an email from Rome saying that Fr Tom will be flying to Rome from Muscat. Now, he has reached Rome. We can confirm that,” Fr George Muttathara, Superior of Bangalore Salesian Province House, told

“In response to the Royal Orders of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and as per a request from the Vatican to assist in the rescuing of a Vatican employee, the authorities concerned in Oman, in coordination with the Yemeni authorities, have managed to find a Vatican government employee.”

He was transferred this morning to Muscat, the government said. Tom Uzhunnalil thanked the Almighty and His Majesty the Sultan, and wished him good health and wellness. He also thanked his brothers, sisters and all relatives and friends who prayed for his safety and release, the statement added.

Thomas Uzhannalil, the cousin of Fr Tom, said: “Thanks to the Almighty, I am so happy that he is free. Thanks to all who worked for his release. The entire village is flowing into my home.