Relatives of hijacked Brits meet Somali PM

Thu Oct 29 2009 05:53:31

The family of a British couple feared kidnapped by pirates off the east African coast have met the Somali Prime Minister as family members pleaded for an end to their "bad dream".

Retired quantity surveyor Paul Chandler, 59, and his wife, economist Rachel Chandler, 55, disappeared after sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania.

It is thought they may have been snatched by pirates operating off the Somali coast.

Stephen Collett, 58, Mrs Chandler's brother, and the couple's neice, Leah Mickleborough, met the Somali premier Omar Sharmarke in London, who said his government would do everything it could to "see a peaceful solution".

European naval forces have been monitoring a yacht seen towing a skiff - a small boat used by pirates - near to the Somali port of Haradheere.

But there was no confirmation that it was the Chandlers' yacht or that they had been captured.

Mr Chandler's sister Jill Marshment, 69, told any potential captors that they had "got the wrong people".

"They are not a wealthy couple. They just wanted to take early retirement, to take a boat and to see more of the world. I'm afraid it still is a bad dream.

"They are very experienced sailors. They've been sailing all their lives. We all are. The whole family is. They've been married over 25 years and have always been sailing, and always on that boat."

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