First words British backpacker said after being rescued from living on streets of Peru

A friend of the British backpacker who was robbed and left homeless in Peru has revealed what her first words were after being rescued.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that 32-year-old Hannah Almond was living on the streets in the South American country after being violently robbed. It's believed the group of locals had taken all of Hannah's possessions - including her passport - and burnt them.

She had travelled to the city of Cusco earlier in the year and had planned to attend a yoga retreat.

With no possessions and unable to get home, Hannah began living under Belén bridge in the city with a homeless man she'd befriended, contacting her family sporadically by borrowing other people's phones (via MailOnline).

She is also said to have been refusing help due to her deteriorating mental health after the attack.

A friend of Hannah's has now been able to track down the 32-year-old (Instagram/@hannah.almond1)

In a new update on the case, a friend of Hannah's has now flown out to Peru to support her, revealing the first words uttered by the Grimsby native after being found.

Speaking to MailOnline about reuniting with Hannah, her friend Matti revealed that Hannah had been overwhelmed by the support shown from people.

"I think she was overwhelmed when I saw her if I'm honest. After some time she has expressed love and gratitude for me being here," he said.

"We sat and had a bottle of water and talked about home. She didn't want to eat anything at the time. We have listened to some music that reminded us of friends and times back in Leeds."

Revealing the moment he reunited with Hannah near Cusco's main square, he continued: "I came straight off the flight, and before I got to my accommodation I got the taxi to drop me off at the main square where she was with her friend.

"She wrapped her arms around me and said 'I love you'."

She had originally travelled to Peru back in March to attend a yoga retreat (GoFundMe)

Matti went on to reveal that she was wearing the same pair of Superman pyjamas and a Friends t-shirt gifted by a friend after being left with just the clothing she was wearing when robbed.

The pair then met up with another friend of Hannah's who lived in Peru, with Matti describing her as dancing down the street 'which was lovely to see'.

He added that Hannah was now recovering at the house of a friend who lives around an hour outside of Cusco and has been in contact with her family.

The details about Hannah's ordeal came to light after her friends made a GoFundMe in order to raise funds for Hannah's medical and psychological care in order to make sure she's well enough to travel home.

The British national is understood to have been refusing help from authorities due to her mental health (Matthew Williams-Ellis/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Matti added that Hannah hasn't spoken much about the ordeal since he arrived in the country. Conversation was very spaced out, and she didn't tell me a lot about what's happened.

"I can see that what she has been through is really affecting her mindset," he said.

"She hasn't told me much about what has happened, as I can see there is a mental block around what's happened out here. She's definitely trying to shut it out"

Responding to the story, an FCDO Spokesperson said in a statement to LADbible: “We have been providing support to a British woman in Peru and are in contact with her family and the local authorities.”