Pirates die mysteriously on captured Iranian ship

[c.sander]

http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/31375

October 4, 2008, 9:55
Pirates die mysteriously on captured Iranian ship
Somali authorities say they believe an Iranian ship being held by pirates could be carrying illegal chemical weapons. Since its capture a number of pirates have apparently died due to a mysterious illness. Local authorities have been unable to inspect the vessel as it is anchored offshore and still under the control of the hijackers.

Almost everyday a ship is attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The recent capture of a Ukrainian vessel carrying 33 tanks and other ammunition has highlighted the dangers of the region.

The U.S.-based Long War Journal has published a story on one hijacking that stands out from all the others - the capture of an Iranian ship the MV Iran Deyanat in August.

Long War Journal’s Nick Grace says he has spoken to several officials in Somalia, who work both for the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia as well as the autonomous government in Puntland state. They’re convinced that the ship is carrying chemical weapons.

“Some of the pirates have come down with skin burns, others were losing their hair and, according to numerous reports, a number of the pirates have also died from whatever is held in the cargo of this ship,” said Grace.

Although the mystery over this ship's cargo has sparked fears of illegal chemical weapons on board, not all Somali officials agree.

Somali Ambassador to Russia, Mohamed Handule, said they don’t have any precise information of what is on board the ship.

According to Andrew Mwangura, who’s taken part in negotiations with many pirate gangs in Somalia, it's not likely anyone will find out exactly what is on the MV Iran Deyanat until it's released.

The Iran Deyanat belongs to a state-owned Iranian company which has been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for alleged weapons smuggling. Iranian officials have denied the ship was transporting chemicals.

“Our vessel was not travelling from Iran but was going from China to the Netherlands. It was carrying rocks, cement and metals and not chemicals as reported by our foes,” said Mahmud Akhmadi from the Parliamentarian Committee on Security and Foreign Relations of Iran.

So far, the ship's owners haven't come to an agreement with the pirates over the ransom. The Iranian media has suggested the U.S. has offered the pirates $US 7 million just to inspect the vessel - something which has been neither confirmed nor denied in Washington.

[Ten*K]

well, what are we waiting for? we should seize the cargo return it to Iran immediately.

of course, they won't let us fly there, so maybe we could send it back to them with a big cannon... idk

[Rlsst30]

We'll if that ship truly was just shipping stuff from china to the netherlands, then maybe the pirates saved some people from those chinese goods . Ofcourse, the ship could have possibly had chemical residue leftover from Iran getting its uranium...

[Dredly]

maybe they just found the xray machine and are playing doctor?

[str8shooter]

Wah, my heart bleeds for them. The seas and ports of Somalia have been a safe haven for pirates for years, and the government has turned a blind eye as long as they got their cut. They didn't learn a lesson when they grabbed a Ukrainian freighter with $30 million in military equipment incurring the wrath of both the U.S. and Russia, so now they got themselves in even deeper shit. Maybe someone just got sick of watching their ships being stolen and put in a failsafe system to gas anyone on board in the event of a hijacking, chalking up the crew as collateral damage. The Somali pirates are negotiating for the ship with the military gear because they're dealing with the good guys, but with this latest ship, it appears they found out negotiations aren't an option if you fuck with the bad guys.

[Legion_Prime]

You know what? Let me check . . . nope, didn't feel a thing.

[Robert Kayland]

Looks like somebody opened the 55 gallon drums that were labeled "Do Not Open".

/Does this mean a zombie outbreak is imminent?

[Pector55]

We'll if that ship truly was just shipping stuff from china to the netherlands, then maybe the pirates saved some people from those chinese goods . Ofcourse, the ship could have possibly had chemical residue leftover from Iran getting its uranium...

haha, that's what I was thinking. Somebody may have drank some milk, ate something with lead in it, or brushed their teeth with anti-freeze laden toothpaste.

[Kimba]

First, find out what's on board that is killing off the pirates.

Second, put some of the "mystery cargo" contained safely on every ship that has to sail these waters.

Third, install a remote device to ativate or release contaminates upon being hi-jacked.

Fouth, pirates die, no more hi-jackng, seas are safe.

[CZ40P]

Maybe Casey Ryback is on board!