Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


5

Showdown Looms: Pirate Ships Head to Hijacking Site

Previously-captured boats carry 54 international hostages

Share

(Newser) – As bandits hold a US captain on a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean, their pirate colleagues are rushing to their aid with an international gallery of hostages, the AP reports. The bandits apparently fear being shot or arrested if they hand over the captain and are hoping to get support from their colleagues, who are using some 54 Russian, German, Filipino and other hostages as human shields.

Four ships earlier seized by pirates are reportedly headed toward the scene off Somalia. “All we need, first, is a safe route to escape with the captain, and then (negotiate) ransom later,” a pirate told the AP. Meanwhile, more US warships are on their way. “We want to ensure that we have all the capability that might be needed over the course of the coming days,” said Central Command chief David Petraeus.

Lea Coggio, the sister-in-law of Captain Richard Phillips, talks to the media at Philips home Underhill, Vt., Thursday, April 9, 2009.
Lea Coggio, the sister-in-law of Captain Richard Phillips, talks to the media at Philips home Underhill, Vt., Thursday, April 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
A file photo of the USS Bainbridge, now at the scene.
A file photo of the USS Bainbridge, now at the scene.   (AP Photo U.S. Navy, Paul Farley)
Neighbors of Capt. Richard Phillips talk after hanging a bouquet of yellow flowers on a tree in his front yard in Underhill, Vt., yesterday.
Neighbors of Capt. Richard Phillips talk after hanging a bouquet of yellow flowers on a tree in his front yard in Underhill, Vt., yesterday.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
This 1979 photo released by Massachusetts Maritime Academy shows Capt. Richard Phillips of Underhill, Vt., captain of the Maersk Alabama, a US-flagged cargo ship hijacked Wednesday.
This 1979 photo released by Massachusetts Maritime Academy shows Capt. Richard Phillips of Underhill, Vt., captain of the Maersk Alabama, a US-flagged cargo ship hijacked Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Massachusetts Maritime Academy)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
AClotfelter
Apr 10, 09 1:03 PM CDT
Sorry, but all of these pirates need to be shot on sight... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
NutsInNY
Apr 10, 09 1:29 PM CDT
Then again, is there an angle to this we're not hearing about?....... FROM "DIGITAL JOURNAL": Somali pirates are accusing European firms of dumping toxic waste off the coast of Somalia and this is why they are holding a ship for ransom. European firms are being accused of dumping toxic waste off the Somali coast. This is the claim that the Somalia pirates, who are demanding an $8m ransom for the return of a Ukrainian ship, are making. The pirates say the money will go towards cleaning up the waste. ** http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/261147 ** Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
AClotfelter
Apr 10, 09 3:47 PM CDT
If that is the case, piracy is not the answer.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
radnip
Apr 15, 09 6:30 AM CDT
Is that why they're hijacking pleasure boats and private vessels and anything else that floats?
Vote up! Vote down!
0
jaguarj
Apr 10, 09 3:48 PM CDT
I doubt they give a rats ass about toxic waste. What BS. There must be alternate ways to clean up waste. They are just effing terrorists on the high seas. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

114 Stories

Pirates Holding 12-Year-Old Girl for Ransom

Released hostage says he saw child, other women aboard vessel

Nov 23, 09 9:29 AM CST
(Newser) - A just-released pirate hostage says the Somalian scallywags are holding a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl captive aboard the British ship Ariana. Captain Ricardo Blach, whose ship, the Alakrana, was released last week after six weeks of captivity, says the pirates at one point brought him aboard the Ariana, where he met... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Somalia • pirates • hostage

 Maersk Alabama Repels 
 2nd Pirate Attack 

Attempted takeover repelled by guards

Nov 18, 09 6:30 AM CST
(AP) - Somali pirates today attacked the Maersk Alabama for the second time in seven months, but guards on board the US-flagged cargo ship repelled the takeover attempt. When pirates attacked with automatic weapons early this morning about 350 nautical miles east of the Somali coast, guards on board the craft fired... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Somalia • ship • piracy • pirates • cargo ships • Maersk Alabama • Richard Phillips

Somali Pirates Demand $7M Ransom for UK Couple

Paul and Rachel Chandler went missing a week ago

Oct 30, 09 5:02 PM CDT
(Newser) - The British couple abducted from their yacht at gunpoint are being held for $7 million ransom, a rep for the Somali pirates who kidnapped them said today. Paul and Rachel Chandler went missing a week ago in the Indian Ocean. "NATO operations had a lot of negative impact here,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Somalia • kidnapping • abduction • Indian Ocean • pirates • yachts • ransom • African • Paul Chandler • Rachel Chandler

114 Stories


FBI, Navy continue talks with pirates
Washington Post

An overview of the situation
Guardian (UK)


Crime & Courts 
TwitterFollow @NewserCrime on Twitter

 
Somalia • Indian Ocean • pirates • US Navy • hostage • Richard Phillips

from our news partners