Lankan among 22 set free by Somali pirates
June 14, 2011 07:20 am
After months of negotiations, Somali pirates released the Egyptian iowned, MV SUEZ, and its crew of 22 on Monday. The ship and its crew of nationals from Pakistan, India, Egypt and Sri Lanka were taken hostage after an attack on the Panama- flagged vessel ten months ago. Officials say the release came after a ransom amount of $2.1 million was paid to the pirates.
On Monday the cargo ship and crew were set free and the money was delivered to pirates by plane. Officials say that most of the crew is in poor health. The crew says they were fed whatever was left over after the pirates ate, and meals typically consisted of rice. To survive they captured rain water for drinking. During their detainment the crew says their lives were threatened on several occasions, especially when a ransom amount could not be agreed upon.
A chartered plane has picked up the crew to bring them to safety.
