National
The crew of the Playa Bakio are now back on Spanish soil
By h.b.
Apr 30, 2008 - 7:36 AM

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.