Seven sailors still held Somali pirates

Jan 31, 2011, 16:11 GMT

Bremen, Germany - Seven sailors, including the ship's captain, were still being held by Somali pirates on board a cargo vessel captured nine days ago, their employer said Monday.

The Beluga Nomination, which is carrying a cargo of luxury yachts and speedboats, was hijacked on January 22, whilst travelling 800 kilometres north of the Seychelles, some distance from usual piracy danger zone.

One crew member died whilst trying to escape, while the fate remained unknown of two sailors who fled in a life boat, according to the Beluga shipping company in Bremen. Another two sailors had been rescued by a Danish warship.

The shipping company accused NATO, the European Union and the responsible coastguards of a breakdown in communications and operations.

'We are convinced that the tragic death of one of our colleagues could have been avoided if there had just been a professional, coordinated, agreed procedure by the operatives on the ground,' the shipping company said.

Few details have emerged of the events that unfolded as the ship was hijacked.

The multinational crew holed up in a strongroom on the ship for two-and-a-half days, waiting to be rescued. But none arrive and meanwhile the pirates used steel-cutting torches to break into the secure cell and capture the hostages.

The ship includes crew-members from Poland, Ukraine, Russia and the Philippines.

Read more about Germany

Read more about Piracy

Read more about Somalia Crime