Kidnapped Bulgarian Sailor Calls for Help - Report

The UK-flagged tanker St. James Park which was hijacked on 29 December 2009 in the Gulf of Aden by Somali pirates while on its way to Thailand from Spain. Photo by EPA/DEREK LILLEY

One of the Bulgarian sailors on board of the “Saint James Park” ship that was kidnapped by Somali pirates has made a phone call asking for help.

The sailor called the editorial team of the Bulgarian daily “168 Chassa” (168 Hours) and told them his life and the life of his colleagues is in danger.

26 “Saint James Park” sailors were kidnapped on December 29th, among them 5 Bulgarians.

The sailor told 168 Chassa that the situation is desperate and the sailors even expect the ship will be sold and the crew would be left on shore where they could not survive for more than 2 months, the Deputy Editor in Chief of the newspaper, Ivan Zahariev, reports Saturday.

The sailor, who spoke Bulgarian, had identified himself as Ivaylo Russev, listed the names of his colleagues and provided his Social Security Number. He told that they were abandoned for 60 days, with diminishing food and resources, and very nervous about a fatal development.

Captain Dimitar Dimitrov, Chair of the Bulgarian Maritime Captains Association, says this is part of the Somali pirates pressure tactics, adding there is no way the ship can be sold.

Another ship with 8 Bulgarians on board - “Asian Glory” was kidnapped on January 2, 2010.

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