Spokane7
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February 22, 2011 in Nation/World
4 American hostages killed by pirates, U.S. says
In this June 11, 2005, file photo provided by Joe Grande, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle are seen on a yacht in Bodega Bay, Calif. The U.S. military says that pirates killed four American hostages they were holding on the yacht Quest off Somalia’s coast. The victims are the Quest’s owners, Scott and Jean Adam of California, and Macay and Riggle, both of Seattle.
(Full-size photo)
NAIROBI, Kenya — Four Americans taken hostage by Somali pirates off East Africa were shot and killed by their captors Monday, the U.S. military said, marking the first time U.S. citizens have been killed in a wave of pirate attacks plaguing the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean for years.
U.S. naval forces, who were trailing the Americans’ captured yacht with four warships, quickly boarded the vessel after hearing the gunfire and tried to provide lifesaving care to the Americans, but they died of their wounds, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement from Tampa, Fla.
Two pirates died during the confrontation and 13 were captured and detained, the U.S. Central Command said. The remains of two other pirates who were already dead for some time were also found. The U.S. military didn’t state how those two might have died.
Negotiations had been under way to try to win the release of the two couples on the pirated vessel Quest when the gunfire was heard, the U.S. military said.
The Quest was the home of Jean and Scott Adam, a couple from California who had been sailing around the world since December 2004 with a yacht full of Bibles. The two other Americans on board were Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, of Seattle.
“We express our deepest condolences for the innocent lives callously lost aboard the Quest,” said Gen. James N. Mattis, U.S. Central Command commander.
In total, the U.S. said that 19 pirates were involved in the hijacking of the Quest.
Only minutes before the military said the four Americans had died, a Somali pirate told the Associated Press by phone that if the yacht was attacked, “the hostages will be the first to go.”
“Some pirates have even suggested rigging the yacht with land mines and explosives so as the whole yacht explodes with the first gunshot,” said the pirate, who gave his name as Abdullahi Mohamed, who claimed to be a friend of the pirates holding the four Americans.
Graeme Gibbon-Brooks, the head of Dryad Maritime Intelligence, said he was confounded by the turn of events.
“We have heard threats against the lives of Americans before but it strikes me as being very, very unusual why they would kill hostages outright,” he said, adding that the pirates must realize that killing Americans would invite a military response.
The military said U.S. forces have been monitoring the Quest for about three days, since shortly after the pirate attack on Friday. Four Navy warships were involved, including an aircraft carrier.
Last week a Somali pirate was sentenced to 33 years in prison by a New York court for the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama, a U.S. cargo vessel. That hijacking ended when Navy sharpshooters killed two pirates holding the ship’s captain.
© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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soccermomsusie on February 22 at 9:41 a.m.
This is making me rethink some things.
My Liberal nephew has, for years, told me that if I really wanted to live in a Conservative paradise I should move to Somalia. I started looking into it. The weather is nice.
As far as individual liberties, I think this is the only nation which has more liberty and less taxes than the USA. I can openly carry whatever weapon I want. Nobody coddles these people. There is no Nanny State. Plus, as a white person, I think they would probably treat me like a queen. In fact, if I outfitted the Hummer right I could be one of the top warlords in no time.
I have been trying to get some sponsorship in this move by translating Glenn Beck’s shows into whatever mumbojumbo they speak over there. Can you imagine the next level Somalia could reach if they knew the important role they play in Glenn’s End Times Scenario?
Anywho, this news makes me sad. For sure, we won’t be taking a boat when we relocate there.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
eagleproducer on February 22 at 10:18 a.m.
I don’t believe the content of this story for a second.
More likely than not, the U.S. Navy stormed the sailboat and the hostages were killed as a result, either by “friendly fire” or the kidnappers when they noticed they were about to be boarded.
It makes no sense at all for them to kill the hostages. They are worth nothing dead.
soccermomsusie on February 22 at 10:26 a.m.
I am with you Spoketucky! I think I smell a big OBAMA RAT!!!
You are right, as a group, who makes more sense than Somali pirates? Sure, that super computer was great on Jeopardy, but in a debate, my money would be on the Somali pirate.
You, my friend, are as eloquent and as logical as a Somali pirate!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!
monkeyman on February 22 at 11:11 a.m.
@ spoketucky on February 22 at 10:18 a.m.
“More likely than not, the U.S. Navy stormed the sailboat and the hostages were killed as a result…
It makes no sense at all for them to kill the hostages. They are worth nothing dead.”
Agree with you. Not only they are not worth anything dead, they are effectively a death sentence. The pirates would take every step to make sure that the hostages remained safe.
“The remains of two other pirates who were already dead for some time were also found. The U.S. military didn’t state how those two might have died.”
…sniped by the would be “rescuers”?
JBlim on February 22 at 11:44 a.m.
Congratulations to soccermomsusie for being the first to try and politicize this tragedy by trying to blame President Obama. How petty.
greenlibertarian on February 22 at 11:50 a.m.
Well the “rich idiots” are dead. Happy now?
DHF on February 22 at 11:56 a.m.
The 13 captured should have deen shot in the back of the head and dumped overboard. No we will bring them here and give them a trial and put them in prison for the next 30 to 100 years all at the taxpayers expense. That would probably be better than Somalia. Three hot’s and a cot, medical ,dental, TV recreation and whatever else it takes to make them happy. What disgusting animals.
Thoreau on February 22 at 12:54 p.m.
Killing the hostages is effective, given that the world has called these Somail pirates’ bluff. Rarely, if ever, have they killed the hostages. The need to gain credibility. I wouldn’t jump to a conspiracy. As for the pirates “facing certain death” upon killing American hostages, does anyone really think they care? These are the guys who rush a wooden boat towards American warships. They could be obliterated in seconds. The only foolish aspect of this story is that the American civilains were in those waters, especially unarmed. Oh, actually, that boatload of bibles were their protection. I forgot.
johnclarke on February 22 at 1:36 p.m.
spotucky, I find it hard to believe that the Navy is lying about this. That’s no way to talk about our fighting men and women. I personally think if you want to sail in those waters with a boatload of bibles, maybe you should be counting on your dear lord for rescue, not the US Navy. Certainly a tragedy, one that was totally avoidable.
MrNatural on February 22 at 2:17 p.m.
When will the navies of this world…the UN…whoever…finally have enough of these SOB’s?
My condolences to the families…