Britons kidnapped in DR Congo gorilla sanctuary 'relieved' to be released
The Britons were visiting Virunga National Park when they were ambushed by men who killed the park ranger travelling with them.
Monday 14 May 2018 06:29, UK
Two Britons who were kidnapped and held hostage in the Democratic Republic of Congo have said they are "very relieved" to have been released.
Bethan Davies and Robert Jesty were among three people abducted by unidentified armed men while visiting Virunga National Park, a renowned gorilla sanctuary in the east of the country.
In a statement, the pair said: "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."
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he was "delighted" to announce their release.
"I pay tribute to the DRC authorities and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation for their tireless help during this terrible case," he said.
A 25-year-old park ranger travelling with Ms Davies and Mr Jesty was killed and their driver was also taken captive, a park spokesman said.
Mr Johnson added: "My thoughts are now with the family of Virunga Park ranger Rachel Masika Baraka who was killed during the kidnapping, and with the injured driver and the released Britons as they recover from this traumatic incident."
Their vehicle was ambushed north of the city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, on Friday.
The park released a statement saying Ms Baraka was trying to protect two passengers and the driver of the vehicle when it was attacked by armed assailants.
They said she was taken to hospital for treatment but died from her injuries.
The park's director, Emmanuel de Merode, said: "Ranger Baraka's life was tragically cut short in service to Virunga National Park.
"She was one of the park's 26 female rangers and was highly committed, showing true bravery in her work.
"We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to her family, and our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident."
The park has experienced an increase in violence in recent months with armed groups staging a series of raids to steal resources, particularly charcoal.
Last month, five young rangers and a driver in the park were killed in an ambush.
It was the deadliest attack in recent years and took the total number of rangers killed in the park to 175.
Virunga is a UNESCO world heritage site covering 3,000 square miles on the country's border with Uganda and Rwanda.