Somali pirates release 11 Indians abducted April last,claims father

He said ship's owners paid nearly seven million US dollars to secure release of 11 of 26 abducted.

Eleven Indians including two Keralites of a cargo ship,hijacked by Somali pirates 11 months ago were released today.

Babu,the father of abducted second officer trainee Roji V John,who lives in the Pathanamthitta district told PTI that authorities of the Rack International company,which owns the ship,handed over the ransom amount yesterday.

Babu,who who travelled to Dubai about a month ago and returned on March 7 said: “Today we received a phone call from John and an e-mail from the authorities about his release. They will reach Kenya and Mumbai in a couple of days,” he said.

John was part of the 26 member crew of M V Rack Africana which was hijacked on April 10,2010 while on its way to Morali in Africa. He had joined the ship as part of his B Sc Nautical Science course two years ago.

The pirates,about 25,had demanded a ransom of USD 7 million. “The negotiations were on all these month and the pirates might have reduced the amount a bit, Babu said.

Babu said: “Yesterday,the authorities flew to the area in a chartered flight and dropped a plastic bag with the amount in the sea as they had been instructed by the pirates. The pirates soon arived in a speed boat to pick up the loot.

The pirates accompanied the ship,carrying the crew members,up to the border where another Indian Navy ship was anchored,he said.

Story continues below this ad

The crew also includes another Malayali V Vishnu,native of Thiruvananthapuram.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram