Indian Government urged to ensure safe release of seafarers kidnapped by pirates in Gulf of Guinea

The families of seven Indian seafarers who were abducted by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa earlier this month are appealing to the Indian Government to work towards facilitating their safe release, Indian newspaper The Hindu reports.

The seven Indian nationals plus some sailors of various nationalities were serving as crewmembers aboard the Panamanian-flagged bitumen tanker Bitu River when it was boarded by three armed perpetrators some 40 nautical miles southeast of Santo Antonio in São Tomé and Príncipe at around 19:45 local time on March 17.

Although the crew took refuge in the citadel and the engine room, the pirates were able to force their way into both compartments and took the seven Indian sailors and three Romanian nationals hostage.

An undetermined number of crewmembers were allowed to remain on board the ship as the pirates departed with the hostages as well as some personal belongings such as mobile phones and a laptop computer.

One crewmember who was not abducted later recounted that the perpetrators had threatened to kill him and his companions if they attempted to leave the ship.

A relative of one of the hostages said the company that owns Bitu River had informed them about the incident and assured that it was coordinating with the relevant authorities. He, however, added that the company has not been providing updates on the whereabouts or the condition of the kidnapped sailors.

The families have called on the national government to take the necessary diplomatic measures to resolve the crisis.