OSLO, Nov 5 (NNN-XINHUA) – Nine Filipino crew members were kidnapped from a cargo ship, owned by Norwegian shipping company, J.J. Ugland.
The nine people were taken off the bulk vessel, while it was waiting to be unloaded, off the coast in Benin, according to a statement released by Ugland.
While the company did not mention the nationalities of the hostages, Norwegian online newspaper E24, quoted a source of Norwegian Shipowners’ Association as saying that, they were all Filipinos.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, no Norwegian citizens were involved. The matter was being handled by the shipping company, said the ministry’s communication adviser, Guri Solberg.
The company said its own crisis team was handling the situation and had contacts with relevant authorities. The family of the crew members have been notified.
