Somali pirates release Greek ship
BBC News, Sept. 14, 2009
Somali pirates have released a Greek-owned ship hijacked five months ago and freed its 21 Filipino crew members, officials and pirates have said.
"The MV Irene is free. All 21 crew are safe and sound," maritime official Andrew Mwangura told AFP news agency.
Reuters news agency cited a pirate as saying the hijackers acted after receiving a ransom of $2m (£1.2m). (Click BBC News for the rest.)
Thank you all, for signing the online petition to free Bob Casas and the MV Irene crew, and for your prayers. According to my friend Gemma Casas, Bob's sister, the Pinoy crew are all in Mogadishu receiving medical care and will be flown back to the Philippines either tomorrow or Thursday.
(UPDATE 12:53 pm) As per Gemma, her brother called his wife at around 1 am today and said the entire crew is now in Amman, Jordan. I know Gemma is also very thankful to David Cohen, former deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Interior, for putting up the online petition. Great job David!
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