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UK aid worker released by captors in Somalia UK aid worker released by captors in Somalia
(40 minutes later)
A British security consultant kidnapped six days ago by gunmen in Somalia has been released, the charity Save the Children says.A British security consultant kidnapped six days ago by gunmen in Somalia has been released, the charity Save the Children says.
Zimbabwean-born Frans Barnard was seized in the town of Adado last Thursday. A local colleague, also seized, was freed the next day.Zimbabwean-born Frans Barnard was seized in the town of Adado last Thursday. A local colleague, also seized, was freed the next day.
The charity said Mr Barnard was now heading to a place of safety.The charity said Mr Barnard was now heading to a place of safety.
"We are cautiously optimistic but until he is there, we are continuing to be concerned," a charity spokesman said."We are cautiously optimistic but until he is there, we are continuing to be concerned," a charity spokesman said.
The Foreign Office said it was aware of the reports and was investigating.
'Relatively safe area''Relatively safe area'
Frans Barnard had gone to the area to see if it was safe enough for Save the Children to set up a new base to help malnourished and sick children, along with their families.Frans Barnard had gone to the area to see if it was safe enough for Save the Children to set up a new base to help malnourished and sick children, along with their families.
But on Thursday evening, a group of masked gunmen stormed the building used as a staff residence.But on Thursday evening, a group of masked gunmen stormed the building used as a staff residence.
High walls and a heavy steel gate reportedly forced the kidnappers to climb in through a window before they fled with their hostages into an area said to be controlled by the hardline Islamist group al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda.High walls and a heavy steel gate reportedly forced the kidnappers to climb in through a window before they fled with their hostages into an area said to be controlled by the hardline Islamist group al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda.
On Sunday, after two days in captivity, Save the Children reported that Mr Barnard was well and being looked after.On Sunday, after two days in captivity, Save the Children reported that Mr Barnard was well and being looked after.
The BBC's East Africa correspondent Will Ross said Mr Barnard was freed before dawn on Wednesday after intervention from local officials.The BBC's East Africa correspondent Will Ross said Mr Barnard was freed before dawn on Wednesday after intervention from local officials.
He said the head of the local administration had negotiated the release after driving with armed guards for several hours outside the town to reach the armed hostage takers.He said the head of the local administration had negotiated the release after driving with armed guards for several hours outside the town to reach the armed hostage takers.
Adado, which is near the Ethiopian border, is also closely linked to pirate groups who routinely take ships and crew hostage.Adado, which is near the Ethiopian border, is also closely linked to pirate groups who routinely take ships and crew hostage.
Until now, Adado had been seen as a relatively stable part of Somalia, with aid groups considering relocating there after being forced out of more volatile regions.Until now, Adado had been seen as a relatively stable part of Somalia, with aid groups considering relocating there after being forced out of more volatile regions.
Several foreigners have been kidnapped in Somalia in recent years. Most have been freed unhurt.Several foreigners have been kidnapped in Somalia in recent years. Most have been freed unhurt.