Relief as sailors arrive home

Last Modified: 05 Apr 2007
By: Katie Razzall

Heartfelt hugs and overwhelming relief as the 15 British sailors return to the UK after their release by Iran.

Touching down at Heathrow was a "dream come true", the 15 British sailors and marines said tonight. They described their welcome home as one none of them would ever forget.

In a statement read out by the Royal Marines, the crew said they'd managed to keep their spirits up by staying together as a team. And after an emotional reunion with their families they said they were now looking forward to some space and privacy with their loved ones.

Tony Blair echoed the joy at their safe return, but contrasted it with more sombre news: the death of four British servicemen in southern Iraq.

But for the former captives it's been a day of overwhelming relief.

Sea King helicopters delivered the 15 sailors within sight of their loved ones. Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor, in Devon, was the setting for the reunion.

The freed captives were no longer in the grey suits provided yesterday by the Iranians, but back in uniform. And Leading Seaman Faye Turney gave a smile - with no strings attached.

'Even though we pre-booked our business class tickets, we gladly gave them up because it was a problem that had to be solved as soon as possible.'
BA passenger en route from Iran

The hugs were heartfelt. Royal Navy Lieutenant Felix Carmen clasped his relatives to him, as the fears they've all experienced over the past two weeks disappeared.

And there was relief all round as the families tried to find out exactly what the sailors had been through before the military assessment began.

This morning the surreal theatre of the past weeks was in its final act. In the VIP lounge at Tehran airport there were bags of official presents for the sailors - we don't yet know the subject matter of the books they received. And there were more bizarre interviews for the cameras.

The sailors flew home business class - the incoming British Airways flight had brought the uniforms with it. There was a swift change of clothes. The other scheduled passengers had been downgraded to economy class to give the freed Britons some privacy, though the cameras still managed to take some pictures.

Helicopters awaited them as they touched down at Heathrow. But first there was the photocall - for 15 who hadn't known they'd been on the front pages ever since their capture.

Then a wave, and the final two-hour flight to Devon.