Hannah Almond was found sleeping rough on the streets of Cusco, Peru, where she had been backpacking in an attempt to “find herself” – and vanished from friends
A Brit tourist who disappeared in Peru and was attacked while she slept rough told her friend “I love you” amid an emotional reunion.
Hannah Almond, 32, wrapped her arms around her pal “Matti” and uttered the heartwarming words when he discovered her sleeping rough on the streets of Cusco in the South American nation. Piero Villanueva, a Good Samaritan in the city, helped Matti locate the woman.
Hannah had been homeless for weeks with no money and passport after she became separated from friends with whom she had gone backpacking, it is thought. During this awful period, the fashion graduate was violently attacked and thugs burned her possessions.
She was delighted to see her pal – who wants only to be referred to as Matti – after he flew out on a desperate mission to rescue Hannah, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire. The mate said: “I came straight off the flight, and before I got to my accommodation I got the taxi to drop me off at the main square where she was with her friend.
“She wrapped her arms around me and said ‘I love you’. She was wearing superman pajamas given to her by a friend as she has nothing to her name. Minimal clothing, no money, and no personal items like a phone or passport.”
READ MORE: Inside the mystery as missing Brit Hannah Almond found living rough in Peru
Hannah was only left with the clothes she was wearing following the fire. Matti helped reunite Hannah with some of her friends with whom she had originally gone travelling, including Mila. Mila and Hannah danced down a city street, Matti continued.
Matti and Hannah met when they studied together Leeds Beckett University, it is understood. He told Mail Online : “I think she was overwhelmed when I saw her if I’m honest. After some time she has expressed love and gratitude for me being here. We sat and had a bottle of water and talked about home. She didn’t want to eat anything at the time. We have listened to some music that reminded us of friends and times back in Leeds.”
Hannah has reportedly called family back home in Grimsby and Matti is ensuring his pal gets the right help she needs. The graduate had gone to Peru in March “hoping for adventure” and to “find herself” at a yoga retreat.
She was robbed and assaulted, losing her passport, phone and all of her money, a GoFundMe page revealed. More than £7,500 has been raised – including donations from strangers – and this money will be used to help pay for emergency care, food and any further flights Hannah’s friends and family require.
The current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice warns a number of Brit tourists have been targeted by armed robbers in recent years. It adds: “Personal attacks, including sexual assaults, are infrequent but do happen, mostly in the Cusco and Arequipa areas.”