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Six Russian sailors released in Nigeria to fly back home soon

They are passing medical examinations

PRETORIA, November 1 (Itar-Tass) — Six Russian sailors and one Estonian sailor, who were released in Nigeria, are passing medical examinations and will fly back home soon, a source in the French oil company-employer Bourbon said on Thursday.

“Despite hard conditions of keeping in captivity they are safe and sound. They will return to their countries to meet with their relatives and friends in a few days,” the company said in a statement.

The sailors are staying in the quarters of the rescue team Bourbon, where the doctors and psychologists are working with them. The company refused to make the names of the sailors public and disclose any details of their release, particularly the demand for a ransom.

“To ensure confidentiality and in private interests of the families of the sailors no information was provided about the demands (of the abductors), the details of the incident and the release of the crewmen,” the statement runs.

On October 15, the pirates attacked the towboat Bourbon Liberty 249 in the oil region of the Niger delta and took hostage the command of the crew, namely six Russian sailors and one Estonian sailor.