Somali Pirates have captured British Husband and Wife yachtsmen Paul Chandler and Rachel Chandler.
The Press Association reports that Somali Pirates captured Paul Chandler (59) and wife Rachel Chandler on Friday October 23 at 0230.http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/29/yacht.pirates/index.html?eref=rss_world
From aboard a Somali container ship, Chandler contacted a British ITV news broadcaster saying, "I was off watch. I was asleep and men with guns came aboard."http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/29/yacht.pirates/index.html?eref=rss_world
According to Chandler, his captors did not initially demand a ransom but did remove everything of value from their yacht before setting it adrift in the Indian Ocean.http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/29/yacht.pirates/index.html?eref=rss_world
Pirates Request $7 Million to Free Hostages
Reuters reports that the Somali pirates have demanded a ransom of $7 million u.s. dollars (4.3 million pounds) in exchange for the Chandler's.
An unnamed pirate was quoted as saying "We only need a little amount of $7 million, If they do not harm us, we will not harm them."http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE59T4YD20091030?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
Pirates Say Hostages Being Held Safely
The New York Times has reported that Farah Abdi, a representative speaking on behalf of the Somali Pirates who have kidnapped the British husband and wife said “We have the British couple, and they are safe,”http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/world/africa/30pirates.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss No other details were released.
Pirates Move British Couple To Container Ship
A pirate named "'Hassan'" told Reuters, "After we understood the British navy might attack us, we took the hostages off the yacht into the Singaporean ship to bring them safely here,".http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE59S3XX20091029?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
Hassan also disclosed that the British hostages were being held in a Singaporean container ship named the Kota Wajar. The ship is currently reported to be located close to the coastal town Haradheere, a known haven for pirates.http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE59S3XX20091029?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
Somali Pirate Interview
This video from CNN shows a rare interview with Somali Pirate leaders and discusses the problems and reasons associated with Somali Pirates.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Paul and Racheal Chandler are from the county of Kent in south-east England
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Fact:
Date and time of capture: October 23rd, 2009 at 0230
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Fact:
Chandler's brother-in-law Stephen Collett confirmed with officials that it was Chandler's voice the news reporter heard.
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Fact:
The British Ministry of Defence found Chandler's yacht adrift in the Indian Ocean
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Fact:
Paul and Rachel Chandler started their origional journey from Seychelles and were headed for Tanzna.
