The nun who survived the terrorist attack on an old people's home in Yemen has visited the family of kidnapped priest Tom Uzhunnalil.

Sixteen people including four nuns from the Missionaries of Charity order founded by Mother Teresa, died when Islamic State terrorists attacked the home in Aden. Sister Sally, the nuns' superior, survived when she hid behind a door in the refrigerator room. She later said the terrorists had entered the room three times in search of her but had failed to see her.

Fr Tom was taken away in a car and is believed to be held for ransom. Sister Sally visited his brother Matthew and Reetha, his wife, at their home in Ramapuram on Saturday.

According to the Manorama news service she told them: " "When he saw the terrorists, the first thing Fr Tom did was to consume the Holy Communion kept at the ciborium [a covered chalice] to prevent attackers from spoiling it. Though the residents and staffers...pleaded with them not to harm priests and nuns, they did not pay heed to their requests and shot all of them down one by one."

Sister Sally is to join the regional House of the Missionaries of Charity in Jordan. She told the Uzhunnalil family: "Before I come here next time, Fr Tom will be back safely."

An account of her ordeal has been published on the Aleteia website.

Unfounded rumours, denied by Church and government authorities, circulated on social media that Fr Tom was to be crucified on Good Friday. Since then other reports have suggested he may be released shortly.