New Delhi/Mumbai : An oil tanker with 22 Indians on board that went missing off the coast of Benin in West Africa on February 1 has been found, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said today. All the crew members, released by pirates after four days, are safe and the ship has resumed sailing, officials added. "I am happy to inform that Merchant Ship Marine Express with 22 Indian nationals on board has been released," Swaraj tweeted.
The external affairs minister thanked the government of Nigeria and Benin for their help and support in the matter. Swaraj had spoken to her Nigerian counterpart yesterday to seek assistance in tracing the missing oil tanker. The Indian mission in Abuja was in touch with Nigeria and Benin for help in locating the ship. "The ship, Marine Express, has been released and is back under the command of the captain," Director General of Shipping Malini Shankar told PTI in Mumbai.
It was not immediately clear if any ransom was paid to secure the release of the vessel and the cargo. The Marine Express was anchored in Cotonou in the Gulf of Guinea in Benin when it was taken over by pirates on February 1. All communication systems on the vessel were switched off by pirates before making it sail. PTI
