Father Tom Uzhunnalil reaches Vatican, confirms Sushma Swaraj

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday confirmed that Father Tom Uzhunnalil, abducted by Islamic militants in Yemen last year, had reached the Vatican.

"Father Tom Uzhunnalil has reached Vatican," EAM Swaraj said in a tweet on Tuesday.

Meanwhile preparations began at Father Uzhunnalil residence in Kerala's Kottayam distrcit, to welcome him.

Father Uzhunnalil, the Indian Christian priest was rescued from the clutches of terror group Islamic State in Yemen on Tuesday.

Earlier, EAM Swaraj confirmed the news and tweeted, "I am happy to inform that Father Tom Uzhunnalil has been rescued."

Father Uzhunnalil was reportedly kidnapped in March 4, 2016 by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in Yemen, when they attacked a retirement home in Aden run by the Missionaries of Charity, killing sixteen people, including four nuns.

 

The Indian government, last year, confirmed that efforts were underway to ensure his early release.

"Fr Tom Uzhunnallil - an Indian national from Kerala was abducted by a terror group in Yemen. We r making all efforts to secure his release," EAM Swaraj tweeted back then.