NIAGQ SEJAHTERA III
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Released hostages getting socialized with normal life
The released crew members of the "Leopard" are being very close to being sent back to their home countries, confirmed SOS International, which handled the transfer of the six. They were reviewing a so-called reintegration pathway, which will get them used to live as free men. It implies in particular that they must get used to simple everyday things like talking on the phone without being intimidated to say something specific, and socialize with a good dinner without it comes to eating just to survive. SOS International reported that the sailors were making great progress in this regard. Four of the six seafarers are Filipinos, while the two officers are Danish nationals. Captain Eddy Lopez lives, however, in Chile, so only the chief engineer Soren Lyng Bear will return to Denmark.
Ekstrabladet critizised for hijack coverage
The Danish Foreign Minister Sovndal on May 2 said that media coverage of the "Leopard"-hijack both have made it harder and more expensive to get the hostages released. If there is a large amount of publicity in a case like this, the price will very quickly rise because the pirates are oriented about this. Large parts of the Danish press have followed such advice. More publicity means longer waiting times and higher ransom. There has been particular criticism on the Ekatrabladet's dense coverage of the case. The Maritime Accident Investigation Board has begun an investigation into the entire process which will eventually culminate in a report. Danish report with photo: http://www.maritimedanmark.dk/?Id=18767
Six hostages free after 27 months
The six-man crew of the "Leopard", two Danish and four Philippine nationals, have been released by Somali pirates after a ransom was paid. The six sailors are now safe aboard the Danish frigate "Iver Huitfeldt and that their relatives have been informed. The sailors will be reunited with their families in Denmark, Chile and the Philippines as soon as possible and get right now medical treatment and counseling. They were taken hostage by Somali pirates on Jan 12, 2011, and have thus been held hostage for 27 months.
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