TFR will verify the information on the pirate attack on Russian sailors
Moscow. 5 Jan. INTERFAX.RU — the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia Alexander Bastrykin ordered to verify the information media about the capture of Russian sailors on the Panamanian ship, said the press-service SK of the Russian Federation.
“To organize a procedural check of information from the media about the seizure of the sailors of the ship MSC MANDY (flag of Panama). It is reported that on Board were 24 crew members, including 23 of the citizen of the Russian Federation and after the attack by gunmen in the night of 1 January 2, was abducted six crew members”, — stated in the message Department.
The press service noted that Bastrykin instructed the international Department of the investigative Committee of Russia to organize the interaction with divisions of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for the speedy establishment of all circumstances.
Informed industry portal “PortNews” reported that the ship MSC MANDY (flag of Panama), on Board of which there were 24 crew members, including 23 citizens of Russia and one citizen of Ukraine, was subjected to a pirate attack during a drift 20 miles offshore abeam of port Cotonou (Benin) in the Gulf of Guinea. The bandits kidnapped six Russians (captain, chief mate, 3rd mate, boatswain, fitter — welder, chef).
According to the Agency, among the remaining 18 crew members injured, no injuries.
Situation and crisis management centre of the Ministry of foreign Affairs and its consular divisions in Nigeria and Benin are engaged in the issue of the release of the kidnapped sailors, said the portal.