Pirates Kidnap Four Yachties

June 25, 2008 – Somalia


Somali pirates are well-armed opportunists - while they normally attack cargo ships or luxury yachts, they're not above kidnapping a yachtie family.
© 2008 Webb Logg

A German family of three and their French skipper were sailing a small yacht across the Gulf of Aden on Monday when Somali pirates forced them off their boat, taking them into the hills behind the fishing village of Las Qoray in the Puntland region. News outlets today are reporting that the pirates are now demanding a ransom, though the exact amount has not been disclosed. There are also reports that the young son of the kidnapped German couple has fallen ill with fever. Security forces are trying to track down the pirates while local authorities attempt to negotiate with the kidnappers.

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