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Pirates Hijack Yacht, Kidnap UK Couple

Brits reportedly safe after yacht seized off Somalia

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 27, 2009 8:35 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A British couple whose yacht went missing in the Indian Ocean four days ago is being held by Somali pirates. The couple was captured during a round-the-world trip while sailing from the Seychelles to Tanzania; five international warships were searching hundreds of miles off the African coast for the pair. A pirate told the Times of London that they had "hijacked" the boat and that the couple was "healthy and in our hands."

The pirate did not say where the couple was taken, but a ransom demand is expected soon. Somalia has not had a functioning government for nearly 20 years, and the coast of the African nation has become the world's most dangerous area for piracy. This year alone 163 pirate attacks have been reported, many supported by assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

Sailors and Royal Marines from the Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland battle pirates off the Somalian coast earlier this year. A British couple was kidnapped by pirates hundreds of miles from the coast.
Sailors and Royal Marines from the Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland battle pirates off the Somalian coast earlier this year. A British couple was kidnapped by pirates hundreds of miles from the coast.   (AP Photo,Alex Cave, Royal Navy, ho)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
zackmasson
Oct 28, 2009 7:36 AM CDT
Here come the snipers. Pirates don't stand a chance.
Shannonals
Oct 28, 2009 1:44 AM CDT
Why would you purposely take a boat into that area?
Spudsy
Oct 27, 2009 11:14 AM CDT
Yeah, hard to feel sorry for someone dumb enough to tempt fate by boating through those waters. There are warnings about it on every internet site and chart about the area. These are those types that go somewhere dangerous and then bore you with their "bravery" at parties but whine for our help when it doesn't work out.

 
Somalia • Africa • sailing • pirates • yachts • hijacking

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