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An Australian-based archaeologist and two Papua New Guinea residents have been launched from captivity after being taken hostage by armed criminals in a distant a part of PNG a number of days in the past.
Overseas Minister Penny Wong confirmed on Sunday that each one hostages had been safely launched.
“I welcome information from PNG that each one hostages have been launched and can quickly be reunited with their households,” she stated on Twitter.
The tutorial, Bryce Barker, and no less than 4 different hostages have been reportedly held at gunpoint by 20 armed males, based on a PNG police incident report.
Professor Barker is a New Zealand nationwide, however he’s based mostly on the College of Southern Queensland.
The extremely revered and skilled archaeologist and his analysis crew have been conducting fieldwork within the distant Southern Highlands province of PNG after they have been taken hostage by the armed group.
The vice-chancellor of the College of Southern Queensland expressed reduction and thanked the PNG, Australian and New Zealand governments.
“We’re relieved to listen to that our much-loved colleague from the College of Southern Queensland Professor Bryce Barker has been launched at the moment,” Geraldine Mackenzie stated in a press release on Sunday.
She described Professor Barker as a valued colleague who had a few years’ expertise enterprise analysis in PNG.
“Our deepest thanks go to the governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand, and the many individuals who labored tirelessly throughout this extraordinarily tough and delicate time to safe their launch,” Prof Mackenzie stated.
PNG authorities confirmed the discharge of 1 hostage on Friday.
The ultimate three hostages – the professor and two PNG girls – have now been freed safely.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape stated the ultimate three hostages have been secured “by way of covert operations” with out paying the $3.5 million kina ($1.four million) ransom.
“To criminals, there isn’t a revenue in crime,” he wrote on Fb.
He thanked all of the officers concerned within the operation.
Senator Wong thanked the PNG’s authorities for its management in securing a protected and peaceable decision.
“Additionally due to the Australian and NZ officers who helped help this final result,” she stated.
A New Zealand Ministry of Overseas Affairs and Commerce spokeswoman additionally thanked the PNG authorities for its management in securing the hostages’ launch.
“We’re extraordinarily happy that the hostage scenario has been resolved and we’re relieved for the hostages and their whānau (household),” she stated.
-AAP
