Rescued from machete mobs (From Penarth Times)

Rescued from machete mobs

A PENARTH couple were overjoyed to find out their son is safe and well after seeing BBC news coverage of his evacuation by Ghurkas from the Ivory Coast, following the violence that erupted in the West African state last week.

Sam Gould, 20, from Salisbury Avenue, was working as a missionary in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast when rioting swept through the city injuring at least 1,000 people.

More than 10,000 people have fled from Ivory Coast into Liberia since the civil war flared up again two weeks ago.

Sam's father Tim Gould said: "We found out that Sam was safe after seeing him being evacuated along with two other missionaries on BBC News.

"We saw all three of them getting on the plane in the Ivory Coast and off again in Ghana.

"Sam is serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

"When the recent trouble erupted, Sam and anyone else with white skin was told to stay indoors and away from windows to avoid the machete-wielding mobs who were seeking retaliation against the French.

"Many Europeans were attacked in their homes. During this time local native members of the church kept him and his companions safe and supplied them with food and water. We were unable to contact Sam directly, but one local member of the church was able to take a message from Sam and e-mail it to us.

"Sam will no doubt have regrets about having to leave Ivory Coast. He has gained a love and respect for the people there who have shown him great kindness."

Sam, a former Stanwell Comprehensive School pupil, is now due to return to Togo where he previously carried out missionary work.

The UN refugee agency is concerned that more people are crossing the border every day from Ivory Coast into Liberia, a country which is recovering from years of conflict.

More than 4,500 foreigners have been evacuated during the past week. Civil war in Ivory Coast reignited when the Ivorian armed forces broke a ceasefire by launching air attacks on the rebels.

Relations between Ivory Coast and France plummeted after nine French peacekeepers died in a government bombing raid, and France retaliated by destroying the small Ivorian air force.