Russia’s embassy in Benin has no information on the three Russian sailors seized by pirates, a source in the embassy told TASS on Dec. 1.
"The Saronic Breeze vessel was guided to Nigeria’s territorial waters after it had been seized, 30 kilometers away from Port Harcourt, the pirates left the vessel taking three hostages with them," the source elaborated. "At the moment, we don’t have any information about them. We have been in close contact with Benin’s competent authorities and we have been maintaining contacts with the crew members as well."
"Last night we were able to go on board the vessel and talk to the crew members," the diplomats said. "According to the chief officer, there are currently 17 people on board including 15 Russians and two Ukrainians. The crew confirmed that pirates had taken three hostages: the captain, the second engineer and the cook. The crew members’ condition is satisfactory on the whole, there are enough food supplies on board, the crew is waiting for instructions from the vessel’s owner at the moment."
As reported earlier, the Saronic Breeze vessel, operating under the Panama flag, was seized by pirates on Nov. 29.
Source: TASS