Belgian flirt Mv Pompeï could be released

(B2) The Belgian dredger MV Pompei, kidnapped by pirates since April 18, off the Seychelles, with 10 crewmen (1 Dutchman (the captain), 2 Belgians, 3 Filipinos and 4 Croats) could be released in the coming days. A release acquired against a ransom of around $2,8 million, according to Reuters, which had a conversation with a pirate named Ali. The Belgian government had sent a team to Djibouti to speed up the negotiations.

Another ship was freed on June 23 - apparently for cold hard cash - the Dutch bulk carrier MV Marathon which had 8 Ukrainian sailors on board. One of the sailors died during the storming by the pirates, and another was wounded by bullets. They were picked up (pictured) by the Dutch navy frigate, De Zeven Provinciën, which patrols the area on behalf of NATO.

The commandos of the Zeven Provinciën, support the MV Marathon