/ 1 December 2011

Somali pirates release tanker — but hold on to four hostages

Glory Ship Management said pirates had seized the Singapore-registered MT Gemini and its more than 28 000 tonnes of crude palm oil off the coast of Kenya on April 16. The ship was traveling from Indonesia to Kenya.

It said the pirates promised to release all 25 crew members Wednesday but instead took the four South Koreans ashore. The company says it is still trying to secure their release.

It said in a statement on Thursday that the released crew members were in good health. It said there are 13 Indonesians, five Chinese and three people from Myanmar. — Sapa-AP