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Workers seized from Nigeria ship Hostage killed in Nigeria battle
(40 minutes later)
Nigerian militants in speedboats have kidnapped seven foreign oil workers from a ship off the coast of the Niger Delta, Italian oil firm Eni says. One foreign oil worker has been killed and another seriously wounded in a gun battle after they were seized by Nigerian oil militants, the navy says.
Eighty-three workers were on the supply ship when it was attacked by 10 armed men, the company said. A Nigerian navy spokesman told the BBC that the remaining five foreign hostages had been rescued unharmed, while two militants were killed.
The kidnapped workers are from Finland, Italy the Philippines, Poland, Romanian, the UK, The hostages, from Finland, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, Romania and the UK, worked for Italian firm Eni.
They were seized from a supply ship by 10 armed men on speedboats.
Oil workers are regularly abducted in Nigeria by gangs saying they want a bigger share of oil revenues.Oil workers are regularly abducted in Nigeria by gangs saying they want a bigger share of oil revenues.
The BBC's Alex Last says the line between criminal gangs and political militants is often blurred.The BBC's Alex Last says the line between criminal gangs and political militants is often blurred.
Eni said the remaining 76 members of the crew are in good health and no damage to the ship was reported. Eni said the remaining 76 members of the crew who were on the ship when it was attacked are in good health and no damage to the ship was reported.
A series of attacks in Nigeria's main oil producing region has cut output by about 25% this year. A series of attacks in Nigeria's main oil-producing region has cut output by about 25% this year.
Oil companies frequently strike clandestine ransom deals to free their employees, industry sources say.Oil companies frequently strike clandestine ransom deals to free their employees, industry sources say.
In September, President Olusegun Obasanjo promised strong action to curb armed groups in the Niger Delta, but the attacks have continued.In September, President Olusegun Obasanjo promised strong action to curb armed groups in the Niger Delta, but the attacks have continued.
Our correspondent says oil companies are bracing themselves for further violence in the Delta as competing politicians try to use the armed groups to secure victory in next year's elections.Our correspondent says oil companies are bracing themselves for further violence in the Delta as competing politicians try to use the armed groups to secure victory in next year's elections.