Hostages freed in Papua New Guinea after week in captivity

A gaggle of archaeology researchers have been taken hostage by closely armed males demanding a money ransom.

Three hostages have been freed in Papua New Guinea, the nation’s prime minister mentioned, after they have been held for per week within the highlands by an armed group.

A gaggle of archaeology researchers, together with a professor from New Zealand working for an Australian college, two native college graduates and a programme coordinator, have been taken hostage by closely armed males demanding a money ransom.

The group have been on a area journey to the distant village of Fogoma’iu within the Mount Bosavi area, close to the boundary of Southern Highlands and Hela provinces.

Earlier this week, the captors launched a girl who was a part of the group.

“It took us some time however the final three has been efficiently returned,” Prime Minister James Marape mentioned in an announcement on Sunday.

Police mentioned they have been returning to the capital Port Moresby with the three freed hostages Sunday afternoon, the place Marape would greet them.

The group have been taken hostage at gunpoint final Sunday in a distant and densely forested area.

Police had been negotiating with the hostage takers, who initially demanded a ransom of $1m — an unlimited sum in one of many Pacific’s poorest nations — earlier than dropping the asking value and abandoning a 24-hour deadline.

Marape mentioned the hostages had been freed after “covert operations” and the unique ransom demand had not been met, however didn’t present additional particulars.

“We apologise to the households of these taken as hostages for ransom,” Marape mentioned. “To criminals, there isn’t a revenue in crime. We thank God that life was protected.”

Papua New Guinea’s highlands are a sprawling expanse of jungle-cloaked hills the place the central authorities and safety forces have little sway.

Lately, the areas have seen a rise in tribal warfare and the proliferation of weapons.