CNN is reporting that the four Americans taken hostage on a yacht hijacked by Somali pirates last week have been murdered. They were killed by their captors, U.S. Central Command said in a statement Tuesday. The vessel, named the Quest, was being shadowed by the military after being captured by pirates off the coast of Oman on Friday. Officials had said earlier Tuesday that it was less than two days from the Somali coast.
Americans Jean and Scott Adam — the owners of the ship — along with Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle had been traveling with yachts participating in the Blue Water Rally since their departure from Phuket, Thailand, rally organizers said Sunday in a statement on the event's website. The group, which organizes long-distance group cruises, said the Quest broke off on Feb. 15 after leaving Mumbai, India, to take a different route.
As negotiations were ongoing with the pirates for the hostages' release, gunfire was heard at about 1 a.m. ET Tuesday, U.S. Central Command said. When U.S. forces responded, they killled two Somali pirates and injured 13. It is believed that the yacht was hijacked by 19 pirates.
U.S. forces found the bodies of the hostages who had been shot and attempted lifesaving care. All four hostages died from their wounds. A tragic ending to a harrowing story.
Read more at CNN.
In other news: Malcolm X's Daughter Arrested for Theft.