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'Kidnapped' pair's yacht is found | 'Kidnapped' pair's yacht is found |
(9 minutes later) | |
The yacht belonging to a British couple feared kidnapped by Somali pirates has been found empty. | The yacht belonging to a British couple feared kidnapped by Somali pirates has been found empty. |
Paul and Rachel Chandler, aged 59 and 55, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, sent a distress signal on Friday from the Indian Ocean. | Paul and Rachel Chandler, aged 59 and 55, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, sent a distress signal on Friday from the Indian Ocean. |
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the yacht was discovered during counter-piracy operations on Wednesday night - but the couple were not on board. | The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the yacht was discovered during counter-piracy operations on Wednesday night - but the couple were not on board. |
The MoD stressed there is no reason to suspect the pair have come to harm. | The MoD stressed there is no reason to suspect the pair have come to harm. |
The yacht, the Lynn Rival, which was found in international waters, had been secured by the Royal Navy and was being escorted to shore. | The yacht, the Lynn Rival, which was found in international waters, had been secured by the Royal Navy and was being escorted to shore. |
'Peaceful solution' | 'Peaceful solution' |
Mr and Mrs Chandler had been sailing from the Seychelles to Tanzania. | Mr and Mrs Chandler had been sailing from the Seychelles to Tanzania. |
An MoD spokesman said: "During counter-piracy operations overnight, a Royal Navy ship encountered the yacht owned by Paul and Rachel Chandler. | An MoD spokesman said: "During counter-piracy operations overnight, a Royal Navy ship encountered the yacht owned by Paul and Rachel Chandler. |
The couple were travelling from the Seychelles to Tanzania | The couple were travelling from the Seychelles to Tanzania |
"Paul and Rachel Chandler were not on board the yacht and we do not have any reason to believe they have been harmed. | "Paul and Rachel Chandler were not on board the yacht and we do not have any reason to believe they have been harmed. |
"Royal Naval vessels operating with our international partners under EU, Nato and combined maritime forces will continue to play a full role in efforts to secure Paul and Rachel's release." | "Royal Naval vessels operating with our international partners under EU, Nato and combined maritime forces will continue to play a full role in efforts to secure Paul and Rachel's release." |
Relatives of the Chandlers met the Somali premier Omar Sharmarke in London on Wednesday who told them he would do anything to "see a peaceful solution". | Relatives of the Chandlers met the Somali premier Omar Sharmarke in London on Wednesday who told them he would do anything to "see a peaceful solution". |
Mrs Chandler's brother, Stephen Collett, 58, of Ixworth, Suffolk, said: "He [Mr Sharmarke] told us they [pirates] do look after hostages well as they see them as trade goods and want to keep them so they can barter. | Mrs Chandler's brother, Stephen Collett, 58, of Ixworth, Suffolk, said: "He [Mr Sharmarke] told us they [pirates] do look after hostages well as they see them as trade goods and want to keep them so they can barter. |
"Unfortunately they have no money, it's all in the yacht." | "Unfortunately they have no money, it's all in the yacht." |
Dr James Alvarez, who is a hostage negotiator, said it was unlikely the couple would be harmed, but because they were white the kidnappers would think they were rich and expect to get money for them. | Dr James Alvarez, who is a hostage negotiator, said it was unlikely the couple would be harmed, but because they were white the kidnappers would think they were rich and expect to get money for them. |
The Somali government - which only has nominal authority in large parts of the country - said it was doing everything possible to locate them. | The Somali government - which only has nominal authority in large parts of the country - said it was doing everything possible to locate them. |
Paul and Rachel Chandler were on a 150 nautical-mile passage south-west to the Amirante Islands |