Region | Somalia
Somali pirates want $8.2m ransom for hijacked ships
Somali pirates have demanded a total of $8.2 million in exchange for the freedom of crew members of three hijacked ships, a maritime official said.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:24 September 2, 2008
Nairobi: Somali pirates have demanded a total of $8.2 million in exchange for the freedom of crew members of three hijacked ships, a maritime official said.
Somali pirates hijacked two Malaysian tankers owned by Malaysian carrier MISC and a Japanese ship.
An MISC official confirmed that its team is in contact with the pirates, but declined to confirm the ransom demanded.
"We believe all three ships are near Eyl village, where the pirates have the strong support of locals," said Andrew Mwangura, head of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme.
The Bunga Melati 5 was carrying on its way to Singapore from Saudi Arabia when it was seized on Friday. It had 36 Malaysian and five Filipino crew members on board.
Its sister ship, the Bunga Melati Dua, was carrying 29 Malaysian and 10 Filipino sailors to Rotterdam from Indonesia when it was seized on August 19.
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