Hijacked MV Talca: Hostages Speak to Family
In a sliver of good news, it appears the crew members on board the Bermuda flagged ship which was hijacked 12 days ago are alive and well. The Bermudian registered MV Talca was hijacked on March 23 by Somali pirates with 25 crew members on board: 23 Sri Lankans, one Filipino and one Syrian
The Asian Tribune is reporting that at least 20 sailors who are held hostage by Somali pirates, have spoken to their family members through satellite phone, and told their family they are in good health and are provided with the basic needs from the pirates.
The pirates generally do not kill hostages, instead demanding ransoms for their safe return. Millions of dollars in ransoms are regularly paid via helicopter drops or floated over in small boats. The ransom demand for the MV Talca has not yet been announced.
A montage of Somali pirates
Timeline of Hijack:
March 23: The Talca was hijacked while traveling from Egypt to Iran, approximately 120 nautical miles off the coast of Oman in the Gulf of Aden, which is reported to be one of the most dangerous shipping lanes in the world.
March 24: MV Talca was in transit, reported to be shadowed at least part of the time by a US Warship
March 25: The European Union Naval Force confirmed that the MV Talca arrived off the Somali coast of Bargaal, with the African Press Agency reporting that Governor of Baargaal Ahmed Bile Mohamed said the MV Talca reached his city and people can see it from shore.
March 26: Sketchy reports that the MV Talca is heading to Garacad, a pirate stronghold
March 28: The Director of the shipping company announced they intend to negotiate for the release of the hijacked MV Talca.
