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| Africa Horn |
| Just for Fun: Iran denies hijacked vessel claims |
| 2008-09-16 |
| A couple of weeks ago, when an Iranian vessel was caught by Somalia pirates, the pirates reported the ship was carrying "arms" of some sort (see here). Now the Iranians react, with their usual delicate touch in Iran denies hijacked vessel claims: Iran has rejected reports that its vessel hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden was carrying a 'dangerous consignment'. The pirates were angry because when they opened the cargo of the Iranian ship, several Somalis died, while others lost hair and suffered skin burns, Reuters quoted Andrew Mwangura, of the Kenyan-based East African Seafarers' Assistance Program, as saying. "It must have been a very dangerous chemical," he added, without identifying the substance. Iran's shipping company, however, said on Monday that the report was a 'sheer lie', adding, "The ship - Iran Diyanat had no dangerous consignment on board." It also dismissed allegations that the ship fetched a $200,000 payment from its owners, saying, "Despite hopeful progress made in talks with the pirates, no ransom has yet been paid to them." Mwangura claimed that the Iranian ship was supposed to be released, but now the pirates are saying the $200,000 was for facilitation only. "They want more money for the ransom." "Iran reserves the right to file a lawsuit against Andrew Mwangura at an authorized international court for spreading lies," Iran's shipping company said. It added that all 29 crew members are in good health and that the company is doing its utmost to release the bulk carrier as early as possible. The ship was carrying 42,500 tons of minerals and industrial products for a German firm at the time it was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast on August 21. |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #8 No eye damage? Any fumes that would cause skin burns or hair loss wouls also affect the eyes. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2008-09-16 20:35 |
| #7 Remember that Iran tried shipping nuclear material and equipment to Syria before (now *that* didn't work, ahem). |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2008-09-16 17:33 |
| #6 Radiation poisoning????? |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2008-09-16 17:33 |
| #5 Or Causic Soda? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2008-09-16 17:23 |
| #4 Sounds like Lye, the instant it his water you get fumes as described, Even the water in the air if moist enough (Or a leaky hull)Other chemicals also react violently with Lye, but High school chemestry was forty-some years ago. Any Chemists out there? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2008-09-16 17:20 |
| #3 Geraldo wouldn't go near it. Too dangerous. His hair is his life. |
| Posted by: Richard of Oregon 2008-09-16 16:25 |
| #2 Why don't we offer the pirates more money than Iran, and see what's in it, in front of the world. Geraldo is still around. |
| Posted by: plainslow 2008-09-16 16:20 |
| #1 The pirates were angry because when they opened the cargo of the Iranian ship, several Somalis died, while others lost hair and suffered skin burns... Oh, those poor pirates. Maybe they can sue the shipping company. And then Iran's response. "Lies, all lies. No chem weaps were on that ship." I have zero sympathy for either side on this one. |
| Posted by: DLR 2008-09-16 15:54 |