Hostages freed in mission that leaves two French soldiers dead in West Africa

Hostages freed in mission that leaves two French soldiers dead in West Africa
Copyright AFP PHOTO - This undated photograph obtained on May 10, 2019, shows Laurent Lassimouillas (L) and Patrick Picque posing at an undisclosed location
By Euronews
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

Two French soldiers killed in an operation that saw freeing of four hostages captured in Benin and taken to Burkina Faso

ADVERTISEMENT

Two French soldiers have been killed in a hostage rescue in West Africa, said Emmanuel Macron's office.

The quartet was captured in Benin and then taken over the border to the north of Burkina Faso, where the operation took place.

The four hostages — two Frenchmen, a US woman and a South Korean — are now safe, added the Élysée Palace.

Last week, two French tourists were kidnapped during a safari in Benin and their local guide was found dead.

Macron's office named the freed hostages as Patrick Picque and Laurent Lassimouillas. The two soldiers killed were Cedric de Pierrepont and Alain Bertoncello.

"This liberation was able to be done thanks to a military operation, driven by French forces overnight on Thursday into Friday in the north of Burkina Faso," said the Elysee in a statement.

"The president of the French Republic wishes to congratulate the army for the release of these hostages and all who worked with them.

"He bows with emotion and seriousness at the sacrifice of our two soldiers, who gave their lives to save those of our fellow citizens.

"He sends his heartfelt condolences to their families, their friends, and their brothers in arms, and shows them all the solidarity of the Nation in these difficult times."

'Excellent news'

Lassimouillas is a piano teacher and an orchestra conductor in Longjumea, a town 20 kilometres to the south of Paris.

Its mayor, Sandrine Gelot, said on Facebook: "Freed!

"After days of anxiety and waiting, excellent news over the freeing of Laurent and Patrick, thanks to the intervention of French army forces.

"A great relief for their families and all of us."

Get our newsletter on your smartphone

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Uncomfortable travel can be the most rewarding travel - and even the most enjoyable ǀ View

Two French soldiers killed during rescue of four hostages in Burkina Faso

One dead after migrants shipwrecked in Channel