US Hostage Captain Attempts to Escape Somali Pirates

The US navy is bolstering its forces in the area to combat the pirate captors. Photo by BGNES

The US captain taken hostage by Somali pirates managed to jump off their lifeboat Thursday night but was recaptured, US military officials reported Friday.

A nearby US navy ship witnessed Capt Richard Phillips attempt to escape, but could not help him because of the fast pirates' reaction, NBC News said.

The captain was captured after a struggle on his ship, Maersk Alabama. Somali pirates seized the ship but the crew fought them off. There are thought to be four pirates with Capt Phillips in the lifeboat, which has reportedly run out of fuel, and it is not yet clear what they are demanding.

The Maersk Alabama is reportedly currently sailing for the Kenyan port of Mombasa under armed guard.

The US navy is bolstering its forces in the area to combat the pirate captors. US reinforcements will arrive within 48 hours, and a warship is already very close to the lifeboat, the head of US Central Command, Gen David Petraeus, said. Other hijacked ships with hostages aboard are also reported to be nearing the area to support the pirates on the lifeboat, the BBC said.

 

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