Pirates in Togo Release 3 CMs Kidnapped In November; Fourth CM Dies In Captivity

December 13: Pirates in Togo have released 3 crew members of a Greek oil tanker seized in November, including 20-year-old Greek sailor Dimitris Giatis from Messolonghi, but a fourth member, a Filipino man, sadly died in captivity, the ship managers announced on Friday, December 13.

European Products Carriers Ltd said the 3 men “are safe and well, have had medical checks and are currently being debriefed by the local authorities prior to returning home to the Philippines, Greece, and Georgia respectively.” […] “It is with great sadness, however, that the managers must confirm that the fourth crew member, a Filipino national, kidnapped and held hostage, has died,” the company said in a statement.

“A full investigation is underway into the situation, but it is understood that his demise was not as a result of any actions by those holding the crew hostage but due to illness,” it added.

According to reports, “armed individuals” raided the Elka Aristotle tanker some 10 nautical miles off the coast of the capital Lome, even with guards trying to repel the raid.

Source: Greek City Times