SINGAPORE: The Singaporean tour leader, who was kidnapped for eight hours in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula on Friday, is back home.
44—year—old Vincent Toh headed straight for his wife, Christine Kee’s arms, as he arrived at Changi Airport at about 3pm.
The pair seemed a little overwhelmed with emotion as they embraced.
Smiles and relief hung on their faces as they exchanged a few words.
Toh said: "I’m very happy. I think (the) embassy in Cairo handled it very well. It was a great help to us. Thank you for all the concerns. Basically, we’re all very safe. You can still go there for a holiday but you must be careful."
His wife said she’s just grateful to have her husband back.
Christine Kee said: "I admire him very much. Many people (have) asked why aren’t you worried, why aren’t you fearful? But I don’t know how to describe."
One of the members in the tour group and a first—timer to Sinai, Madam Koh, said: "We weren’t distressed because we believe, when this happened to us, we were all very calm, as things can happen unexpectedly. Our tour leader was held captive for eight hours but the rest of us continued our journey. We waited at a designated rest point for his updates, officials arranged for us to rest at a Cairo hotel."
Other tour members were visibly relieved to see their friends and family.
Madam Wah said: "We feel very relieved that we came back in a group without leaving anyone behind. That’s what we wanted. We are very happy."
Madam Loo Guat Hoon, who was initially part of the tour but returned prematurely due to her fall in Jerusalem, said: "I’m here to let them know that I’m okay because they’re also worried about me. On the other hand, I also want to show my support."
On Friday, Mr Toh had volunteered to follow a group of armed men when they wanted to kidnap a few members of the Singaporean tour group of 20.
He was leading the group from Sinai to Cairo when two vehicles with armed men stopped them.
The men tied Mr Toh up and drove him to an undisclosed location.
Mr Toh had earlier told Channel NewsAsia that the armed men who are Bedouins, had wanted to exchange him for one of their tribesmen.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said that in view of the current situation in the Sinai peninsula, Singaporeans should avoid any overland travel to the area.
— CNA/ck
