Relatives of the British couple held hostage by Somali pirates have welcomed reports that they could soon be released.
Paul Chandler and his wife Rachel, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, were captured while sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania in October last year.
Somali deputy parliamentary speaker Mohamed Omar Dalha said he was hopeful they would be freed within two weeks. He said that communities inside and outside the war-ravaged country have been working to negotiate their unconditional release.
Stephen Collett – Mrs Chandler’s brother – refused to be drawn on any details of the hoped-for release but said he was “pleased” by the news. He has been in contact with the pirates via local broadcasters and the Foreign Office, who have been working towards their release.
The Chandlers are among about 130 sailors held hostage in Somalia.
In a telephone interview with a Somali television station, Mrs Chandler, who has recently appeared gaunt in pictures, said: “I’m obviously very tormented and very, very lonely and worried.” Meanwhile, Mr Chandler described their forced partition as “torture”.
The British Government has refused to pay a ransom for the couple and called for their immediate release. The Somali pirates have previously demanded a “seven million dollars” (£4.6 million) ransom for their safe release.
In a phone call translated by the BBC, one of the pirates said: “If they do not harm us, we will not harm them – we only need a little amount of seven million dollars.”
Mr Chandler, 59, and his wife, 55, were captured when armed men boarded their yacht as they slept.
It has since emerged that the crew of a Royal Navy vessel was forced to watch the Chandlers being kidnapped by pirates but military officials have insisted that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary replenishment tanker Wave Knight, carrying 75 merchant seamen and 25 Royal Navy sailors, could not have acted without endangering the lives of the couple.
Tags: british hostages, paul chandler, rachel chandler, somali pirates
I am appalled there are no televised news reports regarding these people anymore…but sadly not surprised.
I just want their families to know and trust we are always thinking and feeling for them; and wishing for their swift and safe journey back home.
I go online everyday hoping for news of the Chandlers and everyday so disappointed. If the British are going to block any monies to go for ransom why doesn’t someone from another country offer to cough up some money and get them out! Keep the British out of it, I don’t understand. Or, why can’t the British citizens route the money to a private bank then over to Somalia….why does this seem so difficult? It should be a transaction that could take about 24 hours! I will never understand this one! I do understand why the government is taking a stand on this, what a dilema….
whats happening to the poor chandlers,give thEm THe mOnEY aNd RELEASE THEM,AS STATED ABOVE BY SHELLEY,THIS CAN BE ARRANGED PRIVATELY,WHY NOT,AND IN FUTURE FOR GODS SAKE,KEEP OUT OFTHESE AREAS.
God bless you both , why is this not on the news, and why can’nt a rich tycon put up the money xxxxxxxx
April 22, 2010 is the 6th month anniversary date of their captivity. I am writing their mp clarkg@parliament.uk . I have heard he was not re-elected, but there is no other contact. I am also writing the Tunbridge Wells Counsil President roy.bullock@tunbridgewells.gov.uk to ask that they help in any way possible to help release the Chandlers.
There is also a petition addressed to David Miliband. I am writing an e-mail to him at edeelection@live.co.uk asking for the government to help to immediately release the Chandlers in anyway possible.
I am a South African who is very saddened to hear no news about the Chandlers. I would like their family and friends to know that I and I am sure many other people are horrified that no attempt has been made to help this couple. I am sure the British government can help them. Remember Dunkirk surely with all the resources you have at your disposal you can do something for your citizens.
Even though the banks collapsed and the stock market crashed and everyone lost all their savings, and we have over 10% unemployment in the United States, I hope people will be able to help the Chandlers. I am myself unemployed, but will try to help.
We have also contributed to the fund to help the Chandlers, even with my unemployment. We are fellow cruisers and hope to do our own circumnavigation someday. We are Americans, and I’d like the family to know that folks around the world are concerned. God bless.
if there was a banker or a fraudulent expenses claiming MP held hostage our pathetic wet yellow bellied government would pull out all the stops ,it is such a shame we cant look after our own
i realy hope and wish for there safe release soon ,
there are private companies that can help ,private security companies guarding ships down there now , i am sure this all been looked at
GOOD LUCK
come back magie thatcher or someone with her gutts
We tend to feel helpless because we don’t have the money or the political clout to help this desperate situation, and nothing much appears to be happening. But we do have the power of collective positive thought and visualisation. However unlikely it sounds, this has shown itself over and over again to be tremendously powerful even in apparently hopeless circumstances. May I suggest that those of us feeling concern take a moment whenever we think of it to send a current of positive thought and clear visualisation of the Chandlers’ release? Just see them being delivered into safe hands unharmed. It can do no harm and might do a surprising amount of good.
Come on who wants to help?I have ex army and marines as friends and we would be prepared to go for it.Anyone want to take this seriously?
How sad that the royal navy stood back and watched this happen, shame on them.
The Chandlers are in my thoughts everyday. I just cant understand why there is no media attension given to this – its as if they have been forgotten already or maybe is that just what the Pirates want?
I don’t think paying money to the pirates is the answer .. they are oppertunists and as soon as they get paid they will move on to the next sailor in the area which isnt what we want ! I think the money should go towards employing some private detectives/ ex SAS military or marines in order to go track them down and raid where ever it is they are being held. Why hasnt this been done already? It cant be that hard? Its not like they are Bin Laden or something – they can be found! At least that way they can be caught & tried in court for their actions which is what is happening in the Netherlands at the moment. And hopefully with all these trials now taking place against priates it may curb the piracy and allow us to keep on Sailing
hello
to my suprise i see that my message is deleted ? if you do not bother to contact the people who can help then its sad for the Chandlers even if its just for information as i find nowhere on this site a person who has the experience like whe have in Somalia or Africa regarding these situations if you did made the effort you could have my company name and track record with forbes 500 companys whose people i did bring back from Africa from 2004 to 2009 and that you can check !!! you must pop the anglo bubble and reach out for help al you do is talk and these two people are paying the price for it…you all want to go ..you would not survive 12h you must ask the people who do this for a living and dont worry about the payment if thats whats bothering you there ways enough to pay them with a secure uk person on the spot of your own choice all you need is pro’s to handle this case and there out in 7 day if a pro does it ,that is if there funds ready …its sad knowing who we are and you dont even bother to ask for info i lost my interst again in helping private people i hope you find the person to do it but again shame on you all for not taking offerd help .. may luck be on them
last 1 standing