Video China World Entertainment Sports Lifestyle  
 

9 Chinese return after 5 years spent as hostages of Somali pirates

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail CNTV, October 26, 2016
Adjust font size:

 

After many ordeals, negotiations and hard work by governments and international organizations, twenty-six Asian sailors have finally come home. Somali pirates had held them hostage for nearly five years before releasing them. Among those freed are 9 Chinese sailors, who arrived in the southern city of Guangzhou early Tuesday morning.

9 Chinese return after 5 years spent as hostages of Somali pirates 



5 years of captivity in the grip of Somali pirates. Having to beg for their lives just to survive on many occasions. The hostages have finally come home. 9 Chinese sailors, including 1 from the island of Taiwan, arrived in Guangzhou early Tuesday morning. Greeting them were families, government officials... and home, sweet home.

"I feel so excited right now. I feel I've been re-born," Rescued hostage Mr. Fan said.

Twenty-nine sailors were taken captive when their vessel was seized south of the Seychelles, including 10 from the Chinese mainland and two from Taiwan. Three people died after the hijacking, including two of the Chinese hostages.

The Chinese government has expressed sincere gratitude to all agencies and personnel involved in the rescue. It's also offered condolences to the families of the three people who died after the hijacking.

For the survivors, it's time to go home, reunite with families and friends and hopefully put the past behind. But for many, the past will probably continue to haunt them for a long time to come.

"I haven't been home for 4 years and 7 months. What I endured there would be unimaginable for people living in civilized societies. Dinner would just be some rice and sugar water," Rescued hostage Shen Ruizhang said.

But what will haunt this sailor for the rest of his life, he says, is watching his fellow crew members die and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Two young men died because of a lack of medical care after they fell ill. They were like my children. And they died right in front of my eyes," Shen said.

The painful memories probably won't ever go away. But at least now he says he's very grateful to be back in the embrace of his family.

 

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter