Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


7

Somali Pirates Demand $7M Ransom for UK Couple

Paul and Rachel Chandler went missing a week ago

Share

(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," the unidentified man said in a call to the BBC. "When you consider the damage and all the people affected we say the amount is not big."

"If they do not harm us, we will not harm them," the caller said of the Chandlers, who are believed to be in good condition in Somalia.

Map locates Ceel Huur, Somalia, where pirates are holding a captured British couple
Map locates Ceel Huur, Somalia, where pirates are holding a captured British couple
This undated family photo shows Paul and Rachel Chandler, who went missing when sailing from the Seychelles to Tanzania after sending a distress signal on Oct. 23, 2009.
This undated family photo shows Paul and Rachel Chandler, who went missing when sailing from the Seychelles to Tanzania after sending a distress signal on Oct. 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/PA)
In this undated photo made available by the family, Paul and Rachel Chandler are seen at an unknown location.
In this undated photo made available by the family, Paul and Rachel Chandler are seen at an unknown location.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
7 comments
VIEWING:
 
Netstorm2k9
Oct 30, 09 5:20 PM CDT
Are they worth 7 mill? I can't imagine someone assigning that much money to my worth. I'd be like, "Thank you, but yer outta yer damn mind if you think someone's gonna come up with that much for ME!' Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
BoZo
Oct 30, 09 6:03 PM CDT
I'm sure they have a couple mill stashed somewhere. If they can afford to travel by yacht around the world.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
thejoint00
Oct 30, 09 8:13 PM CDT
let them be. Nothing pisses off criminals more than being called out on thier weak threats. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
riffran
Oct 30, 09 8:50 PM CDT
time to see if the British SAS is as good at head shots as the Navy seals Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
SPH
Oct 30, 09 9:12 PM CDT
Ransom should never be paid....It only encourages more kidnapping.... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3

View all 7 comments »

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

23 Stories

 UK Yacht Couple 'OK' 
 With Somali Pirates 

'We are well,' Paul Chandler says by phone

Oct 29, 09 7:11 PM CDT
(Newser) - A British couple taken from their yacht by Somali pirates say they’re in good condition and are being held aboard a hijacked container ship. “We are well and being looked after OK,” Paul Chandler, 59, told the BBC by phone today; he also spoke to British channel... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Somalia • kidnapping • pirates • container ship • yachts • Royal Navy • Paul Chandler • Rachel Chandler



 Pirates Hijack Yacht, 
 Kidnap UK Couple 

Brits reportedly safe after yacht seized off Somalia

Oct 27, 09 8:35 AM CDT
(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.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Somalia • Africa • sailing • pirates • yachts • hijacking

Somali Pirates Release Togo Ship, Score
$100K Ransom

Tanker was to deliver food aid to Somalia

Apr 20, 09 8:54 AM CDT
(Newser) - Somali pirates have released a Togo-flagged cargo ship that was to deliver food aid to their own country, the BBC reports, but only after securing a ransom rumored to be $100,000. “Somali traders were involved in the release,” a pirate source told Reuters. They paid “not... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Somalia • release • pirates • ransom • cargo ships • food aid • Togo

23 Stories


World  •  Crime & Courts 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

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

from our news partners