Visakhapatnam, Jan 16: The reports of three Indian sailors onboard ship M V Alpha Manyara who were taken by Somalian pirates have been confirmed. Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta gave hopes to rescue them, on Friday, Jan 16.

“We will anything to rescue the Indian sailors taken hostage by Somali pirates off Kenyan coast," Mehta said. Two months after the Stolt Valor hostage drama involving Indians, a ship has been hijacked by Somalian pirates who have taken three Indians captive after releasing
Kenyan crew members.

Indian sailors were hijacked on Jan9 near the coast of Kenya and the pirates were holding three Indian as hostages. But they had Kenyan sailors free.

"Among the 11-member crew, three were Indians and the rest were Kenyans. Only the Indians have been taken hostage," George, brother of sailor Palaswamy Sarvanan who hails from this coastal city, said. "We were informed about the incident a day after the vessel was hijacked. After that, we have not heard from the company or the government. The company has
declined to pay any ransom," he claimed.

Stolt Valor, owned by a Japanese company and carrying 18 Indian sailors. It was released by the Somalian pirates after a huge ransom was paid by the owners on Nov 16.


OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)