An Italian aid worker, who was abducted in Kenya in November 2018, has been flown back to her home country.
Silvia Romano, 25, embraced her parents and sister, and was greeted by Italy’s prime minister and foreign minister after she landed in Rome.
She was freed from suspected Islamist group al-Shabab near Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Saturday, reports say.
Italy’s secret service is said to have been assisted by Turkey and Somalia to secure her release.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction 18 months ago.
In January 2019, the Somalia-based al-Shabab said it was behind the attack on a hotel and office complex in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, in which 21 people died.
Kenya: Relief replaces fear after attack
What has been the reaction to Silvia Romano’s return?
After landing in Rome’s Ciampino airport on Sunday, Ms Romano said he was feeling well, both “physically and mentally”.
She was seen accompanied by masked men from the Italian secret service.
Meanwhile, Ms Romano’s father Enzo said he was “bursting with joy”.
Church bells were rung and people applauded from their balconies in Ms Romano’s hometown of Milan to celebrate her return.
Ms Romano, who works for the Italian charity Africa Milele Onlus, was seized by gunmen from a small rural hotel in Kilifi Country, south-eastern Kenya, in 2018.
She is believed to have been later taken to Somalia.
Kenyan police at the time offered a $10,000 (£8,060) reward to help find Ms Romano.
Source BBC AND Pupia News
