The Rescue of Jessica Buchanan

Overview

On October 25, 2011, 32-year-old American aid worker Jessica Buchanan and her colleague, 60-year-old Poul Hagen Thisted of Denmark, were kidnapped by Somali pirates. They were held captive for 93 days in the African desert -- enduring deplorable conditions, including very little food, water and sleep, and living in constant fear that they’d be killed at any moment. News of the capture was kept quiet to protect the hostages, while the U.S. military planned a top-secret rescue mission. On January 25, 2012, in a stealthy nighttime operation, Jessica and Poul were rescued by members of Navy SEAL Team Six -- the same unit that carried out the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. In a daytime exclusive, Jessica opens up to Dr. Phil about her horrific experience, which she details in her book, Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six. Hear her account of the kidnapping.