Wednesday, March 09, 2011
New Delhi: Pirates released 11 Indians on Wednesday who were on the ship Rak Afrikana. Pirates have also informed Indian authorities that they can pick up the crew.
This ship was hijacked on April 11, 2010 near Seychelles. The ship is owned by a UAE based commpany.
Sushma Swaraj also met the families of MV Suez sailors on Wednesday.
About 495 Indian sailors were held hostage by the Somali pirates in last four years. Barring 64, all of them have been released safely.
Off the 64 sailors, 11 are crew members of Rak Afrikana.
Other Indians still captive are on MV Iceberg-I, MV Suez, MV Asphalt Venture, MV Savina Caylyn, and MV Sinin
Shipping minister has earlier said all of them have been reported safe.
MV Savina Caylyn and MV Sinin have 26 Indians as crew members - they were hijacked this year, in January and February respectively.
No Indian ship has been hijacked in last four years, although seven had come under attack by the pirates of the Somalia coast between 2007 to 2011.
Source: IBNLive