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Abducted Indian crew on way home Indian ship crew in 'safe waters'
(about 17 hours later)
The mainly Indian crew of a Japanese cargo ship, released by Somali pirates after two months in captivity, are on their way back home. The mainly Indian crew of a Japanese ship released by Somali pirates after two months in captivity have entered the safe zone on their way back home.
Seema Goyal, wife of the ship's captain PK Goyal, said her husband believed the crew were still in the danger zone. Seema Goyal, wife of the ship's captain PK Goyal, said her husband had informed that they were out of the danger zone.
Somali pirates captured the MV Stolt Valor with 18 Indian crew members on 15 September off the Somali coast.Somali pirates captured the MV Stolt Valor with 18 Indian crew members on 15 September off the Somali coast.
The threat posed by pirates off the Somali coast has been causing international concern.The threat posed by pirates off the Somali coast has been causing international concern.
More than 80 ships have been hijacked off Somalia this year.More than 80 ships have been hijacked off Somalia this year.
'Excited' Trauma
"The ship is coming back at a speed of seven knots. They still have to cover 150 nautical knots before they are out of danger. Hopefully, we will know by evening that they are clear," Seema Goyal told the BBC after speaking to her husband on the phone. "My husband called up to say that they had entered safe waters and were looking for an escort ship. He has also sent an email to the ship's owners," Seema Goyal told the BBC.
Ms Goyal said the crew would know later on Tuesday whether the ship would go to the western Indian city of Mumbai or a port in the United Arab Emirates.
Mrs Goyal has waged a high-profile media campaign to press for her husband's release.Mrs Goyal has waged a high-profile media campaign to press for her husband's release.
"The crew is exhausted, they are stressed - both mentally and physically - because of the trauma they have gone through," she said. "The crew is exhausted, they are stressed - both mentally and physically - because of the trauma they have gone through," she told the BBC on Monday.
"But they are in good spirits. My husband... is excited and we are looking forward to his return.""But they are in good spirits. My husband... is excited and we are looking forward to his return."
Indian media reports said a hefty ransom had been paid by the Japanese ship-owners to secure the release of the crew and the ship. There has been no confirmation from the owners. Indian media reports said a large ransom had been paid by the Japanese ship-owners. There has been no confirmation from the owners.
Last week, commandos operating from a warship of the Indian navy prevented an attempt by pirates to hijack an Indian ship off the Somali coast, the Indian navy said.Last week, commandos operating from a warship of the Indian navy prevented an attempt by pirates to hijack an Indian ship off the Somali coast, the Indian navy said.
It said that an armed helicopter with marine commandos stopped "pirates from boarding and hijacking an Indian merchant vessel" last Monday.
The Indian navy last month sent its warships to the area on an anti-piracy patrol.
The navy was ordered to protect Indian ships travelling between Oman and Yemen.
The navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the region since 23 October because a sizeable portion of India's trade flows through it.The navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the region since 23 October because a sizeable portion of India's trade flows through it.