Post by Peter on Oct 27, 2009 15:31:43 GMT
Relatives of a British couple whose yacht is thought to have been hijacked by pirates off the east coast of Africa said they feared the "worst might have happened".
A rescue mission was under way to locate Paul and Rachel Chandler, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, after they went missing while sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania.
A news agency said it had been contacted by a pirate to say the couple were "in our hands now".
The man, who gave his name as Hassan, said the captives were in good health and ransom demands would follow. The Foreign Office said it was "urgently investigating" the claims.
A rescue mission was under way to locate Paul and Rachel Chandler, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, after they went missing while sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania.
A news agency said it had been contacted by a pirate to say the couple were "in our hands now".
The man, who gave his name as Hassan, said the captives were in good health and ransom demands would follow. The Foreign Office said it was "urgently investigating" the claims.