Crewman injured in pirate shootout
Source: Xinhua |
April 8, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ONE of 28 crew members of a Chinese-owned cargo ship freed after their vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates, was injured by a ricocheting bullet during the rescue, Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.
The Panama-registered cargo ship Xianghuamen was hijacked on Friday morning, at about 8:40am local time, by Somali pirates in the Sea of Oman, near Iran's southern port of Chabahar.
Later on Friday, the concerted efforts of the Chinese and Iranian governments led to the rescue of all 28 Chinese crew members, said Chinese ambassador to Iran Yu Hongyang.
A round from a pirate's weapon slightly injured one crew member in the head, when it ricocheted after striking a panel.
In Friday's incident, nine pirates climbed on to the cargo ship, fired shots and seized the Chinese crew.
Yesterday, some of the crew told Xinhua that they had been terrified when taken hostage by the pirates.
And yesterday afternoon, a delegation from the Chinese embassy, headed by the ambassador, went on board the Xianghuamen to meet the rescued crew members on the behalf of the Chinese government and people.
The delegation brought vegetables, pistachios and fruit for the crew members.
The vessel, registered in Panama, belongs to Nanjing Ocean Shipping company in eastern China.
Its president announced yesterday that the company would reward each crew member with US$10,000 for their bravery in fighting the pirates.
According to Xinhua, the Iranian navy exchanged fire with the pirates on Friday before the crew members were rescued.
Two Iranian naval warships participating in the rescue operation followed the vessel and told the pirates to lay down their arms. The pirates threw their weapons into the sea and surrendered.
The hijacked cargo ship's engine was damaged and is under repair. After repairs, the ship will head for the Iranian port of Gask, 112 kilometers away from where the hijacking occurred.
The Panama-registered cargo ship Xianghuamen was hijacked on Friday morning, at about 8:40am local time, by Somali pirates in the Sea of Oman, near Iran's southern port of Chabahar.
Later on Friday, the concerted efforts of the Chinese and Iranian governments led to the rescue of all 28 Chinese crew members, said Chinese ambassador to Iran Yu Hongyang.
A round from a pirate's weapon slightly injured one crew member in the head, when it ricocheted after striking a panel.
In Friday's incident, nine pirates climbed on to the cargo ship, fired shots and seized the Chinese crew.
Yesterday, some of the crew told Xinhua that they had been terrified when taken hostage by the pirates.
And yesterday afternoon, a delegation from the Chinese embassy, headed by the ambassador, went on board the Xianghuamen to meet the rescued crew members on the behalf of the Chinese government and people.
The delegation brought vegetables, pistachios and fruit for the crew members.
The vessel, registered in Panama, belongs to Nanjing Ocean Shipping company in eastern China.
Its president announced yesterday that the company would reward each crew member with US$10,000 for their bravery in fighting the pirates.
According to Xinhua, the Iranian navy exchanged fire with the pirates on Friday before the crew members were rescued.
Two Iranian naval warships participating in the rescue operation followed the vessel and told the pirates to lay down their arms. The pirates threw their weapons into the sea and surrendered.
The hijacked cargo ship's engine was damaged and is under repair. After repairs, the ship will head for the Iranian port of Gask, 112 kilometers away from where the hijacking occurred.
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