Family of Somalia kidnap victims: Relief, grateful

By ABDI GULED

The Associated Press

NAIROBI, Kenya — The families of an American woman and a Danish man rescued by U.S. Navy SEALs from their Somali captors say they are grateful for all the efforts made to rescue the two.

This combination photo made from undated images provided by the Danish Refugee Council shows Dane Poul Hagen Thisted, left, and American Jessica Buchanan. U.S. military forces flew into Somalia in a nighttime raid Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 and freed the two hostages while killing nine pirates, officials and a pirate source said. (AP Photo/Danish Refugee Council)

Map locates area around the town of Adado, Somalia, where two hostages were rescued during a helicopter raid.

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A statement on Friday from the Danish Refugee Council on behalf of the families said that family members are relieved that both escaped unharmed.

U.S. Navy SEALs rescued the two hostages in a pre-dawn raid Wednesday. Nine Somali captors were killed during the raid.

American Jessica Buchanan and Poul Hagen Thisted, a Dane, were kidnapped in October while carrying out demining work.

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January 27, 2012 07:56 AM EST

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