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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Pirate stand-off over US hostage | Pirate stand-off over US hostage |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| Negotiations are continuing for the release of an American captain held by Somali pirates in a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa. | Negotiations are continuing for the release of an American captain held by Somali pirates in a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa. |
| He was taken from cargo ship Maersk Alabama after it was briefly seized by pirates a day earlier. | He was taken from cargo ship Maersk Alabama after it was briefly seized by pirates a day earlier. |
| A US warship on anti-pirate patrol in the high-risk area sailed to the ship. | A US warship on anti-pirate patrol in the high-risk area sailed to the ship. |
| It remains unclear what the pirates want, but maritime sources say it could be a ransom or compensation for their boat which sank during the attack. | It remains unclear what the pirates want, but maritime sources say it could be a ransom or compensation for their boat which sank during the attack. |
| They may also be demanding that the warship retreat beyond the horizon as negotiations continue, says BBC East Africa correspondent Peter Greste in Nairobi. | They may also be demanding that the warship retreat beyond the horizon as negotiations continue, says BBC East Africa correspondent Peter Greste in Nairobi. |
| The stand-off with the pirates could take some time, he adds. The lifeboat is equipped for more than a week at sea. | The stand-off with the pirates could take some time, he adds. The lifeboat is equipped for more than a week at sea. |
| The Maersk Alabama, carrying food aid destined for Somalia and Uganda, was taken about 500km (311 miles) off Somalia's coast on Wednesday. | |
| At least six other patrol vessels are said to be heading towards it. | At least six other patrol vessels are said to be heading towards it. |
| US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the government was following the situation very closely and urged the world to act to end the "scourge" of piracy. | US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the government was following the situation very closely and urged the world to act to end the "scourge" of piracy. |
| There were 50 hijacks amid 130 incidents last year by Somali pirates, but this was the first time Americans had been seized. | |
| 'Ransom' | 'Ransom' |
| Earlier, US media organisations telephoned members of the ship's crew to get details of their struggle against the pirates. | Earlier, US media organisations telephoned members of the ship's crew to get details of their struggle against the pirates. |
| Second mate Ken Quinn told US TV network CNN how the crew had captured one of the pirates and kept him tied up for 12 hours. | Second mate Ken Quinn told US TV network CNN how the crew had captured one of the pirates and kept him tied up for 12 hours. |
| Capt Phillips' wife says he was aware of increased pirate activity | Capt Phillips' wife says he was aware of increased pirate activity |
| As they attempted to negotiate the release of their captain, who has been named as Richard Phillips, they freed the captive pirate. | As they attempted to negotiate the release of their captain, who has been named as Richard Phillips, they freed the captive pirate. |
| But the gang refused to free Capt Phillips. | But the gang refused to free Capt Phillips. |
| "Right now they want to hold our captain for ransom, and we are trying to get him back," second mate Quinn told CNN. | "Right now they want to hold our captain for ransom, and we are trying to get him back," second mate Quinn told CNN. |
| "So now we're just trying to offer them whatever we can - food. But it's not working too good." | "So now we're just trying to offer them whatever we can - food. But it's not working too good." |
| He said the attackers had fled in a lifeboat and crew members were using radios to keep in contact with Capt Phillips. | He said the attackers had fled in a lifeboat and crew members were using radios to keep in contact with Capt Phillips. |
| Family members said Capt Phillips had offered himself to the pirates to secure the safety of his crew. | Family members said Capt Phillips had offered himself to the pirates to secure the safety of his crew. |
| "What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," Gina Coggio, his wife's half-sister, told the AP news agency. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain." | "What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," Gina Coggio, his wife's half-sister, told the AP news agency. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain." |
| In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ship's owners, Maersk, confirmed much of second mate Quinn's account. | In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ship's owners, Maersk, confirmed much of second mate Quinn's account. |
| "The armed hijackers who boarded this ship earlier today have departed, however they are currently holding one member of the ship's crew as a hostage," Maersk said. | "The armed hijackers who boarded this ship earlier today have departed, however they are currently holding one member of the ship's crew as a hostage," Maersk said. |
| "The other members of the crew are safe and no injuries have been reported." | "The other members of the crew are safe and no injuries have been reported." |
| Surge in hijackings | Surge in hijackings |
| The ship was first attacked by several pirate boats in the early hours of Wednesday. | The ship was first attacked by several pirate boats in the early hours of Wednesday. |
| It is not clear how many attackers were involved, but accounts from the sailors on the Maersk Alabama suggest that four boarded the vessel. | It is not clear how many attackers were involved, but accounts from the sailors on the Maersk Alabama suggest that four boarded the vessel. |
| Maritime officials said the ship had taken all possible evasive action before it reported that the pirates had boarded. | Maritime officials said the ship had taken all possible evasive action before it reported that the pirates had boarded. |
| Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies - last year the firms handed over about $80m (£54m). | Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies - last year the firms handed over about $80m (£54m). |
| After a lull earlier this year, this was the sixth ship seized off Somalia in the past week. | After a lull earlier this year, this was the sixth ship seized off Somalia in the past week. |
| The attacks are threatening to destabilise one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. | The attacks are threatening to destabilise one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. |