The four, including the captain of the ship, were released by the kidnappers on Friday and are set to dock in Mombasa either tomorrow or Wednesday.
Seafarers Union of Kenya (SUK) Secretary General Andrew Mwangura says South Koreans are aboard one of their country’s warship.
The captain of the vessel, Park Heon Yul and his three crew members were detained when their vessel, MT Gemini was released by pirates in April this year.
“Gunmen held them ashore demanding to be paid $4 million by the South Korean government for the loss of life of their ten colleagues shot dead by South Korean commandos during rescue mission of another ship in January 2011,’’ Mwangura said.
On April 21 it was reported two clans in Harardheere were fighting over hostages.
Members of the Saleban clan fought with pirates from Cayr clan currently holding captive the South Korean merchant mariners.
As the result of the fighting, ten people were reported to have lost their lives.
The hostages have been moving to several locations. The last known position was Wasili village along the Somali coastline.
MT Gemini was hijacked by pirates on April 30, last year on its way to Mombasa approximately 180 nautical miles east of Malindi.
“She was taken by heavily armed pirates while heading to Mombasa from Kuala Tonjung, Malaysia laden with 28,000 tonnes of palm oil,’’ Mwangura said.
At the time of hijacking crew members of the vessel comprised of four South Koreans, five Chinese, 13 Indonesians and three Myanmar nationals.
It is owned by Singapore based Golden Spring Line and managed by Glory Shipping Management PTE Limited of the same country.
Source: The Standard Digital
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