Eight Crew Kidnapped in Gulf of Guinea

A total of eight seafarers were kidnapped by pirates from their vessel BBC Caribbean in the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria, according to the Embassy of Russian Federation in Nigeria.

The pirates abducted seven citizens of Russia and a citizen of Ukraine from the 2008-built general cargo ship while it was some 120 nautical miles west-southwest of Bonny Island, the vessel’s owner, German-based Briese Schiffahrts, informed.

Featuring 6,229 dwt, the ship was attacked on February 5, at about 10:00 am local time, while it was on its way without cargo from Duala, Cameroon to Tema, Ghana.

“The remaining crew was left on the vessel and are underway to a safe location,” Briese Schiffahrts said, adding that the families of the crew have been informed about the incident.

The company has put together a team which is working closely with the German authorities to resolve the situation soon, “aiming to ensure a safe and secure evacuation of the kidnapped crew.”

The Russian Embassy asked the Nigerian authorities for assistance in locating the abducted seafarers.

An investigation into the attack has been launched.

World Maritime News Staff