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British Pirate Captives Beg for Help

Death looms without ransom

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 22, 2010 4:11 AM CST

(Newser) – A British couple abducted by pirates as they sailed off Africa are pleading for help before they're killed. Rachel Chandler, seized three months ago and held separately from her husband, Paul, in Somalia, begged for aid in a phone call to British TV after the pirates vowed to kill them soon. "They've lost patience. They've set a deadline of 4 days. If they don't hear then, they say they will let us die," she said. "My biggest hope is that I shall see Paul at least once more before we die."

She said she's losing hope in a "very despairing" situation. "It's hard not to feel dying would actually be an easy way out," she added. Paul Chandler also begged for help in a separate call. The couple was seized in full view of a British Royal Navy vessel, which didn't open fire because officials feared the Chandlers would be killed. The pirates were demanding more than $6 million in ransom for the two, but now may be satisfied with $90,000, sources told the Guardian.

Paul Chandler takes the helm in an earlier sailing trip.
Paul Chandler takes the helm in an earlier sailing trip.   (AP Photo)
Paul and Rachel Chandler have pleaded for help to rescue them from pirates.
Paul and Rachel Chandler have pleaded for help to rescue them from pirates.   (AP Photo/PA)
Paul and Rachel Chandler pose in happier times before they were seized by pirates as they sailed from the Seychelles to Tanzania last October.
Paul and Rachel Chandler pose in happier times before they were seized by pirates as they sailed from the Seychelles to Tanzania last October.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
sidewinder
Jan 22, 2010 10:31 AM CST
I really hope they are ok, but really, who sails in pirate infested water if they don't have to? What were they thinking?
riffran
Jan 22, 2010 10:28 AM CST
they need a 90,000 dollar bounty on the ears of those pirates..preferable separated from the neck

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