New Delhi: Somali pirates on Monday released MV Suez after almost 10 months of hijacking the vessel and all members on board. Twenty two hostages, including six Indians and four Pakistani sailor, have been released.
The Indian Navy is said to be coordinating for the safe escort of MV Suez. Reports say that the ship is likely to be taken to Egypt as the ship's owner is from Egypt.
The government is trying to get help to escort the ship as it may face problems.
The pirates had taken the crew members, including Egyptians and a Sri Lankan, hostage after capturing the vessel MV Suez in 2010 and demanded $ 2.1 million for their release. The ship belongs to an Egyptian company.
The freed Pakistani captain of the ship, Mohammad Wasi, told Geo News channel on phone that all the hostages had been freed.
"I am very happy as my release is like a new life for me," he said.
The Somali pirates had threatened the hostages on at least four occasions that they would be killed if the ransom was not paid, Wasi said.
The pirates had given several deadlines and extended them as they were told that the money was being arranged.
Wasi said 40 to 50 armed pirates would always guard the hostages, who were given only rice and pulses over the past 10 months.
"The pirates would give us whatever was left after they ate," he said.
The hostages had stored rain water and had been drinking that while they were being held on the ship.
The freed hostages include six Indian, four Pakistanis, 11 Egyptians and one Sri Lankan, Wasi said.
Most of the hostages are sick, he added.
With additional information from PTI