A New Zealand couple who have been travelling the world and documenting the journey on social media have arrived home safely after going missing in Iran for four months.
Topher Richwhite and Bridget Thackwray were stopped by Iranian authorities after entering the country in their van in July. It is unclear what happened after they entered Iran.
Concerns were raised when their extensive online presence, under the name Expedition Earth, fell silent for nearly four months.
In a statement given to local media, the newlyweds said they were “extremely relieved and happy to be back with our families”.
“We are most grateful to all those who have supported us over recent months and thank them sincerely for all their help during this challenging chapter in our Expedition Earth journey.
“We are safe and well, however we would ask for privacy for ourselves and our families over the coming days while we collect our bearings and enjoy being reunited with our families.”
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that a couple that had received consular assistance in Iran and were “out of the country” and were “safe and well”.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the ministry and the New Zealand government had been working hard over the past several months “to ensure the safe exit of two New Zealanders from Iran”, and it was “with great relief” that she heard the news, Radio New Zealand reported.
She could not provide any more details but she understood it “had been particularly difficult” for the pair involved. Ms Ardern did not comment on the circumstances that led to them being held in Iran.
The pair - who had been flaunting their most recent off-road excursions in remote Turkey on Instagram - were criticised by some New Zealanders for their “selfishness” and “entitlement”.
One Instagram user wrote, “glad you are safe but your entitlement is shameful and so out of touch”, while another said “selfish tossers”.
On Wednesday, the New Zealand government updated its travel advice for Iran to advise all citizens to leave the Middle Eastern country.
A number of British nationals have also been detained in Iran in recent years.
Retired civil engineer Anoosheh Ashoori, 67, was jailed for four and a half years in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison on spying charges, which he denied, and was finally permitted to return to the UK in March.
British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained for six years on charges of plotting to overthrow the government – allegations she has always denied - before she was released this year.
