Seventeen foreign tourists who were held in the Sahara desert for more than two months have been flown back to Europe after being rescued. The 10 Austrians, six Germans and a Swede – who officials said were physically unharmed – arrived back on Wednesday evening aboard special flights from the Algerian capital. However, their respective governments have been refusing to reveal details of how their ordeal ended because of concern this might compromise the safety of 15 other tourists who are still missing. A plane full of the Austrian tourists arrived in Salzburg, where relatives of those kidnapped waited on the tarmac before embracing them as they walked down the plane steps. Meanwhile, German and Swedish captives and German Deputy Foreign Minister Juergen Chrobog, as well as a doctor and psychologist, arrived at a military base in Cologne, Germany. One hostage gave a victory sign as he walked down the steps, while others appeared to be tired, leaning on the handrail but nevertheless in good health, the Associated Press news agency reported. Full Story
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