TOURISTS SNATCHED IN CONGO SET FREE
Pair recover from nightmare ordeal
Bethan Davies and Robert Jesty TWO British tourists kidnapped by an armed gang in the Democratic Republic of Congo were recovering from their ordeal last night after being freed.
Their release was announced by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson as it was revealed young wildlife ranger Rachel Baraka had given her life trying to protect them.
Bethan Davies and Robert Jesty were ambushed by four men as they travelled through Virunga National Park on Friday.
The gang shot Rachel and dragged the Brits and their wounded driver into the forest where they demanded a €170,000 ransom.
It is not known if they were set free by the Congolese Army, an SAS team, or if the ransom was paid.
The couple said in 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.”
And Mr Johnson said: “I pay tribute to the DRC authorities and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation for their tireless help.
“My thoughts are now with the family of Virunga Park ranger Rachel Makissa Baraka who was killed, the injured driver and the released British nationals as they recover.”
Park director Emmanuel de Merode said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Ranger Baraka, whose life was tragically cut short protecting the passengers and driver.”
After the hostages were seized their driver Guystave Mbiye, 45, who was wounded in the ambush, had to deliver the ransom message.
The dad-of-five said: “One said ‘I’ll leave you here. If they find you, tell them we need $200,000 and if they keep chasing us, we’ll kill these two’. It was very difficult to move as I had too much pain but I forced myself back.”
Rachel, 25, was taken to hospital with critical injuries but could not be saved. She is the first female ranger to be killed in Virunga.
The vast park, home to a sanctuary for mountain gorillas, is a base for militias from the DRC’S civil war. Eight rangers have died in Virunga since the start of the year.