8 Sailors Kidnapped in Cameroon

Eight crew members, including the captain, have been kidnapped from a Greek oil tanker that was anchored in Cameroon.

The crew members – comprising of five Greek nationals, two Filipino nationals and a Ukrainian national – were kidnapped by armed men who raided “Happy Lady” on Monday evening, 30 December.

The tanker was anchored in the port of Limbe – near the economic capital Douala – when the raid and subsequent kidnapping took place.

According to reports, a Greek national aboard “Happy Lady” is receiving treatment at a local hospital for a wound to the ankle by a stray bullet.

Eastern Mediterranean Athens Ltd – who owns the tanker – confirmed the incident.

Meanwhile, Greece’s merchant marine ministry issued a statement, saying: “Merchant Marine minister, Yannis Plakiotakis … is following developments closely, along with the Greek foreign ministry and the oil tanker’s operator.”

This incident comes nearly two months after four crew members were kidnapped by pirates from another Greek oil tanker 18 km off the coast of Togo.

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