Hostages of MV Leopard released after their vessel was highjacked in January 2011
After more than 2 years of captivity, the six seamen, who were kidnapped by Somali pirates in connection with the seizure of the Danish coaster M/V Leopard in January 2011, have been released and lead to safety.
The two Danish and the four Philippine seamen have very recently been released off the Somali coast and are now in safe surroundings.
“It is with very great happiness and relief we can inform that our colleagues finally have been released. The past more than two years have been extremely traumatic and inhuman for our crew and their families, and we very much look forward to having our colleagues back home”, informs Claus Bech, Managing Director of Shipcraft.
“I have just talked to the families of the seamen. It was a very emotional moment, and it goes without saying that the happy news were received with great joy”, informs Claus Bech, who now himself travels to meet the seamen at their resort.
In Safety with Qualified Team
The seamen are now in safety and are surrounded by a professional team consisting of both doctors and psychologists.
“The first evaluations are that our colleagues, considering the circumstances, are ok. However, it is important to us that they receive the best possible medical assistance now, and as soon as they have been thoroughly examined and have received the doctor’s acceptance, they will be brought home to their families”, informs Claus Bech.
Inhuman Situation
This long period of time in captivity has been inhuman and exhausting for the hostages. For now details of the captivity is limited. The seamen were kidnapped by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea in January 2011, when pirates captured the coaster M/V Leopard. However, the pirates damaged the ship and left it drifting. Instead the pirates kidnapped the crew and since took them ashore, where they were moved to different locations in Somalia. On a few occasions the hostages have been allowed to talk to their families.
For now Shipcraft’s main focus is to help the seamen get back to a normal life. When they return home, they first and foremost need peace and quiet and undisturbed time with their families.
The traumatic and inhuman conditions our colleagues have experienced have of course affected them deeply. Now our main focus is to ensure they get a good reintegration”, says Claus Bech.
For more information click at the following
Leopard Crew Hostages Released by Somali Pirates
MV Leopard crew video ( about 6 months after their kidnapping)
