THIS is the moment Ingrid Betancourt realised she had been freed after six years as a hostage in the Colombian jungle.
Footage of the daring raid that freed 15 rebel-held hostages, released yesterday by the Colombian government, shows Ms Betancourt's joyous reaction when she is told the captives are not being moved to another rebel camp, but have been rescued by the
army.
A few moments before, the hostages were marched, arms bound by plastic handcuffs and looking dismal, across open ground. Even as they were herded on to a helicopter on Wednesday, they had no idea they were being flown to freedom.
The local commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) is shown with them. More guerrillas can be seen in the distance.
There is a jump in the video as soldiers help capture the two Farc members on the helicopter. The footage then shows the hostages' disbelief followed by jubilation as the soldiers break the news that they have been rescued.
The dramatic operation unfolds in minutes.
The rebels holding Ms Betancourt, three US contractors and 11 Colombian police had been persuaded by an infiltrator to move the captives.
Earlier, the former Colombian presidential candidate, who holds dual French nationality, told journalists she was "crying with joy" when she stepped off a flight from Bogota at Villacoublay airbase near Paris yesterday.
She told reporters she owed her life to France as President Nicolas Sarkozy gave her a hero's welcome to Paris.
Ms Betancourt, 46, – a cause célèbre in France – said:
"I am so happy to breathe the air of France. I owe France everything. You saved my life."
The full article contains 289 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
