26 Asian hostages freed by Somali pirates arrive in Kenya

26 Asian hostages abducted nearly five years ago by Somali pirates arrived Kenya on Sunday , unharmed.

They were welcomed by the Chinese Ambassador and several of their relatives with Hugs, congratulations, but also tears of joy.

“I’m feeling now, I’m so happy, really, I’m so happy, for the UN, for Mr. John, for Leslie Edwards, for all the world, especially all the world. Thanks so much to you all.” one of the hostages.

The crew of the Naham 3 flag of Oman, a fishing boat had been taken hostage in March 2012 after a pirate attack South of the Seychelles.

It was the second longest captivity at the hands of Somali pirates, just behind Thai fisherman released on February 2015, after nearly five years of captivity.

John Steed, Coordinator of the NGO partners to support the hostages, helped negotiate their release.

“we worked on it for four and a half years. During their detention they were aboard another boat which sank during a storm. And some of them have managed to save the lives of other guys. “We managed to save some in 2013, and now it’s great to recover them and make them to their embassies and their families.“he said.

According to the Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP), 29 people had been taken hostage. Three of them died; “” one during the attack and two others succumbed due to diseases”.

The former hostages come from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the Viet Nam.