Nigerian pirates earlier this week attacked a Luxembourg-flagged
cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria, kidnapping six Russian crew members
and one Estonian crew member during the assault, a French company which
provides maritime services confirmed on Wednesday.
The attack happened on Monday when gunmen attacked and boarded the
Bourbon Liberty 249 cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria's oil-rich Niger
Delta region. The 60 meters (197 feet)-long vessel, which was heading
to the Port of Onne in Nigeria's Rivers state, was carrying a total of
sixteen crew members.
Paris-based Bourbon SA, which provides marine services to offshore
oil and gas companies, confirmed the incident in a brief statement on
Wednesday. "Bourbon confirms that 7 crew members, 6 Russians and 1
Estonian, were kidnapped during the boarding of the Bourbon Liberty 249,
which occurred on October 15, 2012 in Nigeria," the statement said.
The nine other crew members remained on board the vessel on Wednesday
and have continued their journey to Onne. "They are safe and sound, and
in good health," the statement continued, adding that the company has
set up an emergency unit to rescue its employees as soon as possible. "Bourbon is in contact with the crewmembers' families, supporting
them, and keeping them regularly informed," the statement added.
"Bourbon will continue to disclose any new information when available
and verified and will not make any comment, which could adversely affect
the liberation of the hostages."
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