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A BRITISH backpacker who vanished in Peru has been found – but remains on the streets too terrified to trust anyone offering help.
Hannah Almond, 32, disappeared after a violent robbery left her without a passport, phone, or money – and sparked a terrifying mental health spiral.
A fashion graduate and yoga enthusiast from Grimsby traveled to Cusco in March to partake in a spiritual retreat, hoping to “find herself.” Unfortunately, her journey led her to living under a bridge with an elderly homeless man.
Locals torched her few remaining belongings in a sickening attack.
When she had no contact with friends for three days, fears for her safety grew. However, a man she met briefly in Lima took initiative, flying to Cusco and persistently asking around the streets until he found her slumped on the pavement.
Although Hannah has been located, she continues to sleep rough, turning down offers of support such as food, shelter, and help from the British embassy. Her experiences from a robbery have left her deeply traumatized and fearful of engaging with strangers.
A friend told The Daily Mail: “She is one of the most pure loving soul ever – she is very generous and always wants to help people.
“But she does not trust anyone after getting robbed and assaulted.”
One of her pals has now flown from the UK in a desperate bid to persuade her to return home before she disappears again.
The Brit’s loved ones hope that a familiar face on the ground will help break through the fear and confusion that has kept her from accepting official help.
The man who found Hannah, Piero Villanueva, revealed their emotional reunion and said she immediately recognised him and began crying.
He told local media: “I have just found her. She is safe and well.
“Hannah recognised me and approached me crying and I asked her to leave with me. Thanks God she’s safe.”
Piero, who met Hannah briefly in Lima earlier in her trip, travelled to Cusco after seeing news of her disappearance on social media.
“I decided to travel to Cusco at the request of her friends and family,” he said.
“I wanted to come and help find her and assist her because she didn’t have money or her passport and other documents because she had been robbed.”
He confirmed he is in touch with Hannah’s family, the British Consul, and a friend flying in from the UK.
“A friend of Hannah is arriving in Cusco today and I’m talking with him to be able to assist her,” he said.
“We have to see now what’s going to happen, talk with Hannah’s mum and see what she wants to do,” he added.
“Hannah and her mum haven’t spoken yet. I’m talking with her mum but she’s an elderly lady and we don’t want to worry her anymore.”
Hannah had been staying a makeshift camp under the Belén Bridge before she had all her belongings stolen or destroyed.
Eyewitnesses say Hannah and the elderly man she was staying with were violently evicted from the area by furious street vendors on Avenida Ejército.
Despite offers from officials, Hannah continues to return to the bridge camp.
Mark Atkinson, the British Consul in Peru, said: “Sometimes we’ve paid for hotel stays, given her money for food, that sort of thing. But she always ends up coming back here.”
He confirmed her tourist visa has now expired, leaving her in legal limbo.
“She is in an illegal situation,” Atkinson told local media.
A GoFundMe page launched by friends has raised nearly £8,000 to cover travel, temporary housing, and urgent medical care – and to help bring her safely back to the UK.
A message on the fundraiser reads: “Hannah travelled to Peru in March hoping for an adventure, but instead, she has found herself in a terrifying and heartbreaking situation.
“Since then, Hannah’s mental health has severely declined.”
It continued: “She is extremely vulnerable, isolated and not safe living on the streets of Peru.
“Hannah is a deeply kind and gentle soul, and we are desperate to get her care and safety she deserves. We need to bring her home.”
More than 100,000 Brits travel to Peru every year, with most visiting Cusco – the getaway to Machu Picchu.
The FCDO warns of armed robberies and advises travellers to stay alert, especially in Cusco and Arequipa.
The Sun has contacted the British Embassy in Lima for more information on the Brit.
FCDO travel advice to Peru
THE UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to certain parts of Peru due to ongoing safety and security concerns.
Affected areas:
- Within 20km south of the Peru-Colombia border (Loreto region), excluding the Amazon River and triple border area near Santa Rosa de Yavari.
- Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) — a known hotspot for criminal activity.
State of emergency:
A State of Emergency is in place until June 17 across the Lima and Callao regions, including key districts such as San Juan de Lurigancho, Villa El Salvador, and Comas.
This allows joint police-army operations and the suspension of certain constitutional rights – including detention without a judicial order.
Travel insurance warning:
Travelling against FCDO advice may invalidate your travel insurance.
Make sure your policy covers your entire itinerary, including adventure activities or volunteering.
Stay informed and read the full FCDO travel guidance before travelling.
Source: GOV.UK
