A week of captivity by an armed group in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has ended with the rescue of an archaeologist and two of his colleagues.
With three other participants in a field study trip near Mount Bosavi, Professor Bryce Barker, an Australian citizen who was originally kidnapped at gunpoint, was originally from New Zealand.
Thursday saw the release of one of the group.
The group was freed, according to the leader of PNG, without having to pay the demanded ransom.
The hostages were freed "through covert operations," according to Prime Minister James Marape, who stated that the kidnappers wanted 3.5m Papua New Guinean Kina ($994,000; £832,000).
We sincerely apologize to the families of those who were held as hostages. "Crime offers no financial benefit to criminals. We are grateful that life was preserved. ".
Jemina Haro, Teppsy Beni, and Cathy Alex, all members of Professor Barker's research team, were identified by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as the women who were detained with him.
Geraldine Mackenzie, vice chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland, expressed relief that Professor Barker was safe.
She called the professor a "highly regarded archaeologist and a valued colleague" who had conducted research in the area for many years.
Nanaia Mahuta, the foreign minister of New Zealand, posted on social media that her nation "welcomes the safe release of hostages in Papua New Guinea including a NZer.".
She continued by saying, "Tenkiu tru for your leadership and cooperation governments of PNG and Australia," which is a phrase in the PNG creole language Tok Pisin or Pidgin and means "thank-you very much.".
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also expressed gratitude to the PNG government for "its leadership in securing a safe and peaceful resolution.".
It's believed that New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens is still being held captive in Indonesia-controlled Papua, which is nearby.
He was taken hostage more than two weeks ago after he touched down in the isolated mountain province of Nduga in Papua.
In exchange for Papua's independence from Indonesia, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), a rebel organization, has promised to free Mr. Mehrtens.
Separately, Indonesian authorities announced on Friday that they had increased security in the eastern town of Wamena after 10 people were killed during a riot that was sparked by rumors that a child had been kidnapped.
Locals reportedly attacked a police station and other buildings under the pretense that security forces were holding the person responsible for the alleged kidnapping.
