CANACONA, JAN 10
In a major relief to the worrying families, M V Delight, the Iranian Cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates in November 2008, with 25 crew, including a Goan youth, was reportedly released by its captors on Friday night.
According to a family source of the Goan sailor, the ship is reportedly on way to a port in Iran.
Clive Fernandes (23) is a cook on board the M V Delight and is reported to be safe. All the 25 crew are also in good health, claimed a report published in a Chinese newspaper on Saturday morning.
The Iranian ship was carrying 38,000 tonnes of wheat from Hong Kong to Iran, when Somali pirates hijacked the vessel in the Gulf of Aden in November 2008.
The relieved family members, who were otherwise worried of media reports that could have escalated problems for their son on the hijacked ship, called up this correspondent to inform that God has finally heard their fervent prayers.
Parishioners had also offered their prayers during Christmas night to seek early release of the hijacked ship and the return the lone Goan sailor to his native Agonda village.
On Friday, the Somali pirates also reportedly freed a Saudi owned (Aramco) super tanker carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, which was also hijacked in November after payment of $3 m ransom. However, five of the hijackers reportedly died after their skiff was hit in high seas.
