Mainland, Taiwan sailors to return home after 5 years in captivity by Somali pirates

Ten rescued sailors, including nine from the Chinese mainland and one from Taiwan, will return home after being held hostage by Somali pirates for four and a half years, said a mainland spokesman on Monday.

The 10 will be escorted by a working group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said An Fengshan, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

In March 2012, the Naham 3 was hijacked by Somali pirates and 29 sailors of the Omani-flagged fishing vessel were taken captive, including 10 from the Chinese mainland, two from Taiwan, and 17 others from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Three of the 29 hostages died after the hijacking, including one from the Chinese mainland and one from Taiwan.

According to the will of the rescued sailor of Taiwan and entrusted by his family members, he will fly to Guangzhou on the mainland from Nairobi, capital of Kenya, then return to Taiwan accompanied by his family, An said. Endi