NAIROBI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A regional maritime official confirmed on Saturday that Somali pirates have freed a Greek chemical tanker hijacked on October 10 in the Gulf of Aden with 20crew members.

Andrew Mwangura, East Africa's Coordinator of the Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP) said the MV Action was released on Saturday and was currently sailing on safe waters amid fears that her three crew members were dead.

"MV Action was released by pirates. She is currently limping to safe waters. It is feared that three crew members lost their lives under questionable circumstances," Mwangura told Xinhua by telephone.

However, Mwangura did not say whether owners of the Panama-flagged ship paid a ransom for the release of the vessel and how the three crew members died.

Somali pirates have hijacked some 40 ships this year and currently hold about 15 vessels and their crew, despite a growing number of international patrols to stop the attacks.

U.N. diplomats said the United States has circulated a draft Security Council resolution proposing that all nations and regional groups chasing pirates off the Somali coast be allowed to follow them onshore, on land and in the air.
关键字:英语国际新闻
生词表: