5 Bulgarian Sailors Kidnapped by Somali Pirates on UK Tanker

A handout photograph dated 09 November 2009 shows the UK-flagged tanker St. James Park. According to media reports on 29 December 2009 the ship has been seized in the Gulf of Aden by Somali pirates while on its way to Thailand from Spain. Photo by EPA/BGN

Five Bulgarian sailors are part of the crew of a UK tanker hijacked Monday by Somali pirates.

The tanker St. James Park carrying chemicals from Spain to Thailand was kidnapped in the Gulf of Aden, and diverted to the Somali coast.

The crew includes 26 sailors from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, the Philippines, Poland, India, and Turkey.

The five Bulgarians were hired by the Varna-based firm Zodiac. According to its Director, Prodan Radanov, four of them are from Varna, and it is still unknown where the fifth man is from.

In his words, the contact with the kidnappers will probably be established in 48 hours. The captain of the UK tanker is Russian. The senior deputy captain is Bulgarian.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!