75-year-old hostage freed in Mali arrives home in France to hugs

Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Sophie Petronin (Gonzalo Fuentes, Pool Photo via AP)

A 75-year-old French aid worker held hostage for four years by Islamic extremists in Mali has arrived home – and said she wants to return to her aid work with malnourished children despite the ordeal.

Relatives enveloped Sophie Petronin in a huge embrace after she descended from the plane at Villacoublay military airport, south west of Paris, where she was greeted by President Emmanuel Macron.