RESCUED!
British medics coming home after being saved from Congo kidnappers
TWO British medics dramatically rescued from jungle kidnappers in the Congo were preparing to fly home last night.
Robert Jesty, 28, and Bethan Davies were released unharmed after their convoy was ambushed by militia in the Virunga National Park gorilla sanctuary.
The pair, who are both intensive care junior clinical fellows at London’s King’s College Hospital, were saved by United Nations peacekeepers and local authorities.
Friends said their families are ‘delighted and relieved’ after a terrifying three- day ordeal in the wake of their abduction.
The pair are said to be in ‘ good spirits’. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: ‘I am delighted to announce that two British nationals who were held hostage in
‘We are very relieved’
the Democratic Republic of Congo have been released.
‘I pay tribute to the DRC authorities and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation for their tireless help during this terrible case.’
They are set to return home via Rwanda at the first opportunity.
The Britons were abducted on Friday at the start of a gorilla trekking trip in the Unesco-protected sanctuary. They are the authors of several medical papers published online, focusing on managing infection and disease in intensive care.
Little is known about exactly what took place, but their woman park ranger, Rachel Makissa Baraka was killed and their driver was injured.
Colleagues said they travelled to the Congo because of a shared passion for exotic travel and conservation.
Neighbours at Dr Jesty’s £1.1million Winchester family home said his parents, an accountant and Anglican vicar, have not been seen since the news of the kidnapping broke.
The rebel militia demanded ransoms of up to £150,000 – before apparently reducing it to £22,000.
But a hand-over was negotiated and the hostages were delivered to a rendezvous point and escaped in taxis.
It was claimed last night that a ransom had not been paid.
A statement issued on behalf of Dr Jesty, Dr Davies and their families read: ‘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. We do not plan to comment further.’
The Virunga Park has been plagued by violence in recent months as armed gangs execute raids to steal resources, particularly charcoal.
Last month five young rangers and a driver were killed in a militia ambush. More than 170 rangers have been killed over the past two decades.
The Unesco world heritage site covers 3,000 square miles on the Congo’s border with Uganda and Rwanda.