Algerian hostage survivor arrives safely in Penang

One of five Malaysians who survived the hostage incident at the Oil and Gas Production Complex (OGPC) in Algeria on Jan 16, arrived safely at the Penang International Airport, here, today.

Construction engineer, Ravi Kappusamy, 48, of Bukit Jambul, Bayan Lepas said, he was thankful he could return to his family safely.

"The Malaysian government did a great job to bring me back," he said but declined to comment further.

His return was received by wife Doreen Michael Tajie, 45, son R. Vijayabalan, 19, and daughter R. Sharmilaah Deve, 18.

In the incident, 60 rebels attacked and held the Amenas OGPC, situated about 70km from the Algeria-Libya border and took 150 workers, including 41 foreign nationals, as hostage. The motive of the incident was believed to be revenge for the action of the Algerian government to allow its air space to be used by French fighter jets to attack rebels in Mali.