At least two Vietnamese fishermen have called home to seek help as they and others are being held captive by Somalia pirates who demand US$3 million in ransom. The pirates have chopped off one arm of the captain, one hostage said over the phone.
Tran Van Vinh from the northern province of Nghe An yesterday afternoon told Tuoi Tre that his son Tran Van Hung on January 20 (two days ago) called home for help.

Hung was captured by Somalia pirates while working on the Taiwanese fishing vessel FV Shiuh Fu-1. He is currently being held hostage.

According to the father, Hung cried a lot and said that the Somalia sides allowed 12 Vietnamese fishermen and some other Chinese ones to call home for 5 minutes each.

Hung also said that the pirates have chopped off completely one arm of the captain as they have not received any ransom.

They repeatedly beat the mutilated captain and deputy captain, Hung told his father over the phone.

As their ship is in a bad state, Hung said that there is a possibility the Taiwanese company (owner of the ship) will not pay the ransom.

The pirates have taken all of the captives ashore.

The pirates said this is the last time they allowed the captives to call home, Hung cried on the phone.

Earlier on November 23, 2011, Hung called home and said that the pirates wanted VND60 billion (around US$3 million) in ransom for the ship and the crew.

According to Hung, the owner said the sum was too high and refused to pay.

Meanwhile, Vo Thi Nhi, mother of another hostage fisherman named Luu Dinh Hung also said that her son called home on the evening of January 20 and pleaded with her to convince the ship owner and authorities to pay the ransom.

According to Nhi, her son said that life in captivity is extremely hard and life-threatening.

On December 25, 2010, the FV Shiuh Fu-1 with 26 Vietnamese and Chinese fishermen on board was held captive by Somalia pirates on Madagascar seas.

Tuoitre