Latest piracy news (December 2, 2012). Another 136 sailors detained by pirates...
(BRUSSELS2) 5 ships and nearly 136 sailors are still detained by Somali pirates, according to the latest assessment carried out by the European anti-piracy forces on November 30 (Eunavfor Atalanta) and updated by B2.
Release of 4 South Korean sailors
After 582 days of detention, the 4 South Korean sailors from the MT Gemini still held by the pirates were freed by the pirates on Saturday (December 1) in the morning. This tanker belonging to a Singapore firm was captured on April 30, 2011 180 miles east of Malindi (Kenya). A ransom would have been paid. The hostages were picked up near the Somali coast by a Korean Navy destroyer from Cheonghae Unit, the Korean anti-piracy force under the command of CTF-151. And they are on their way to the port of Mombasa in Kenya where they should arrive on Monday, the Korean Times said. The ship and 21 sailors (Indonesians, Chinese and Burmese) were released a year ago, in December 2011, after a ransom payment agreement. But the pirates had kept the Koreans captive, believing that the price paid was not enough.
End of mission for Floréal
The French frigate Floreal returns to her home port in Reunion, Port de Galet. She left the EU operation (Eunavfor Atalanta) on Sunday (December 2) after a month and a half of commitment to the fight against piracy. It is replaced by the light stealth frigate Surcouf (with a British helicopter on board). Read also: A British helicopter engaged in Operation Atalanta on Surcouf
Mandatory Citadel
The South Korean government has made it mandatory to set up a "citadel" on board merchant ships crossing risk areas, intended to protect sailors from possible pirate attacks. The law was revised and passed on November 22.
Read also: 8 Somalis sentenced in Italy
