Australian archaeologist Bryce Barker is recovering on home soil after he and his team were held hostage in Papua New Guinea for a week.
Key points:
- PNG authorities are working to capture those responsible
- Professor Barker was released after a ransom was paid to the kidnappers
- UniSQ vice-chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie says he will be supported through his recovery
Professor Barker’s plane touched down at Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport on Monday night, where he was greeted by colleagues from the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ).
“When we found out on Sunday that he was safe, it was the most enormous sense of relief that I think I’ve ever experienced in my life,” UniSQ vice-chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie said.
“It was an extraordinary feeling.”
Professor Barker and his research team had been completing field work in a remote area near Mount Bosavi when they were taken hostage by a criminal gang that demanded a ransom for their release.
A significantly smaller amount was eventually paid to secure the release of Professor Barker and two local women.
One team member had been released three days earlier.
Professor Mackenzie said the university would support Professor Barker through his recovery.
“Bryce is a remarkable researcher and somebody who is a real leader in his field,” she said.
“We’re supporting him as much as possible in this time, and we really need him to be able to do that in privacy while he’s recovering from this ordeal.”
PNG authorities are working to capture those responsible.