The Russian Foreign Ministry says
According to RIA Novosti, two Russians and a Romanian captured by pirates off the coast of west Africa last month are still alive, and talks are being held with their abductors for their release
“Talks are currently being held with the kidnappers through a company hired by the ship owner, which specializes in such issues,” ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told reporters. “There has been a confirmation that all the hostages are alive.”
In early February, Nigerian pirates seized the British-owned 8,000 ton cargo ship MV Esther C off Cameroon in the Gulf of Guinea. Two Russians and a Romanian crew member, who were on board, were taken from the vessel as hostages, the ship’s operator Carisbrooke Shipping said.
Source: RIA Novosti