Hostages are showing signs of having suffered physical torture and illness
Twenty-two hostages seized by pirates nearly three years ago have been freed, the authorities in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland say.
They said their maritime force began the operation to free the hostages – and their ship – nearly two weeks ago.
The hostages are showing signs of having suffered physical torture and illness, their statement said.
The Panama-flagged MV Iceberg 1 was seized off the Yemeni coast in 2009, and was being held near Gara’ad village on the coast in Mudug region when Puntland’s maritime troops surrounded it on 10 December.
In their statement, the Puntland authorities said their troops fought the pirates for two weeks before safely rescuing all 22 hostages on board the ship.
They also killed a number of pirates after intercepting one of their small boats delivering weapons and other supplies to the captured ship.
“After two years and 9 months in captivity, the hostages have suffered signs of physical torture and illness,” the statement said. “[They] are now receiving nutrition and medical care.”
Source: SaveOurSeafarers
Also read relevant articles from media
- The New York Times – 22 Hostages on Hijacked Ship Are Rescued in Somalia
