Key facts
- An Austrian and a Swiss woman have been freed after more than 18 months of captivity in Niger.
- The women arrived in Benghazi, Libya, and are awaiting handover to their home countries.
- The Austrian woman is identified as Eva Gretzmacher, 74, and the Swiss woman as Claudia A., 68.
- Both women were reportedly kidnapped in April 2025 in Niger.
An Austrian and a Swiss woman have arrived in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi after being freed from over 18 months of abduction and detention in Niger. Two official sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrival on Wednesday. The women are expected to be handed over to authorities in their respective countries once necessary procedures are completed. The Austrian woman, identified as 74-year-old Eva Gretzmacher, was reportedly kidnapped in Niger, while the Swiss woman, 68-year-old Claudia A., was abducted in April 2025. Reports suggest the Austrian was kidnapped a few months before the Swiss woman near Agadez, and both were released on Thursday via Libya.