25 Indian sailors released by Somali pirates

Mumbai, Jan 24 (PTI) Twenty five Indian sailors, held
captive by Somali pirates for nearly two months, have been
released.

"The crew of the ship MT Biscaglia have been released.
All are safe," National Union of Seafarers of India General
Secretary Abdulgani Serang told PTI here.

MT Biscaglia, a Liberian flag vessel with 31 crew
onboard, was hijacked on November 28 by Somali pirates in the
Gulf of Aden. Besides 25 Indians, three Bangladeshis, two
Britons and an Irish sailor were onboard the vessel.

The British and Irish sailors escaped by jumping into
the sea after the pirate attack and they were later
rescued.

A Directorate General of Shipping official said 25
Indians and three Bangaladeshis were released Thursday night.

The chemical tanker was carrying 16,282 tonnes of
cargo and was travelling between Indonesia and Europe.

Biscaglia was the 97th vessel to be attacked in 2008
off the Somalian coast. The ship, operated out of Singapore by
Ishima Private Ltd, is owned by Winged Foot Shipping in the
Marshall Islands.

18 Indian sailors were freed on Nov 16 after two
months in captivity with Somali pirates releasing their
hijacked merchant ship M T Stolt in the Gulf of Aden after a
ransom amount of nearly 2.5 million dollars was paid.