Danish ship taken hostage by Somali pirates
By IANSMonday, February 28, 2011
COPENHAGEN - A Danish ship with seven crew members on board has been captured by pirates off the coast of Somalia, Denmark’s foreign ministry said Monday evening.
The captured ship is said to be carrying a family of five, including three children aged 12 to 16, their parents, and two other adult helpers, Xinhua reported Tuesday.
The Danish Navy’s Operational Command received a distress signal from the sailing ship Thursday. It is now confirmed that the vessel has been captured by pirates, the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website.
“The authorities are following this case very closely, and we will do everything in our power to assist the Danes on board and their relatives,” said Lene Espersen, Denmark’s foreign minister, adding that relatives of the hostages have been informed of the hijacking.
According to Denmark’s TV2 News, the captured family hails from Kalundborg, on the Danish island of Sjaelland.
Last week, four Americans were killed by Somali pirates aboard their yacht, which was seized by the pirates off the coast of Oman Feb 18.
