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The crew of the Playa Bakio are now back on Spanish soil
By h.b. - Apr 30, 2008 - 7:36 AM
ALSO SEE : • Zapatero says the priority in the Playa Bakio kidnapping was the safety of the Spanish crew - Apr 29, 2008 - 7:19 AM

Some of the crew of the Playa de Bakio boarding the plane in the Seychelles - Photo EFE
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The 26 men, including 13 Spaniards, were released by Somali pirates after the reported payment of a 1.2 million dollar ransom.
The crew of the Spanish tuna fishing boat, ‘Playa de Bakio’ are back in Spain. The plane which brought them back from the Seychelles arrived at the Torrejón de Ardoz airbase outside Madrid just before seven am, while their boat remains in the Seychelles.

It follows their kidnapping on April 20 by pirates off the coast of Somalia and the reported payment of 1.2 million dollars for their release. The pirates divided up the money paid in plastic bags on board the Spanish ship. The payment for the release has neither been confirmed nor denied by the Spanish Government who has promised a statement to Congress on the matter.

The Spanish government sent a naval frigate to the area, which was also patrolled by four reconnaissance planes.
Spanish media are reporting the men are tired and exhausted, but now safe and sound. They are now travelling home to Vigo and Bilbao.


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ALSO SEE :
• Zapatero says the priority in the Playa Bakio kidnapping was the safety of the Spanish crew - Apr 29, 2008 - 7:19 AM
• Released Spanish fishermen on their way home - Apr 28, 2008 - 7:49 AM
• Crew of kidnapped Spanish tuna fishing boat released - Apr 27, 2008 - 9:37 AM
• Kidnapped Spanish fishing boat said to have set sail again in Somalia - Apr 25, 2008 - 8:04 AM
• Talks continue in the Spanish fishing boat kidnap off Somalia - Apr 24, 2008 - 7:24 AM
• Talks with Somalia pirates expected to get underway properly today - Apr 23, 2008 - 8:16 AM
• Diplomatic efforts continue to try to release the Spanish crew of the Playa de Bakio - Apr 22, 2008 - 8:29 AM
• Spanish fishing boat held hostage off the coast of Somalia - Apr 21, 2008 - 7:30 AM
• Fishermen rescued after weeks adrift - Apr 5, 2008 - 10:59 AM
• Ship runs aground off northern Spain with 54 tons of fuel on board - Mar 9, 2008 - 9:22 PM