New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens held hostage by West Papuan rebels is FINALLY freed after nightmare 19-month ordeal

A New Zealand pilot who was taken hostage by rebels in the forests of West Papua has finally been released after 19 months in captivity.

Phillip Mehrtens was seized by the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) after he landed a small commercial plane in the mountainous province of Nduga, found in Indonesia’s western half of New Guinea, on February 7, 2023.

The 34-year-old will finally return home to his wife and son after he was released at a remote village in central Papua, according to Indonesian authorities. 

Mr Mehrtens was flown to a police headquarters building in the town of Timika where he has undergone a medical assessment, the ABC reports. 

More to come.