ATHENS, Greece — Three of four crew members who were kidnapped by pirates from a Greek-flagged oil tanker off the coast of Togo last month have been released, while the fourth has died, the vessel's managing company said Friday. European Products Carriers Ltd. said in a statement that the three — one Greek, one Filipino and one Georgian — were “safe and well,” had undergone medical checks and were speaking to local authorities before returning to their respective homes. An investigation was being conducted into the death of the fourth crew member, who was from the Philippines, but the company said “it is understood that his demise was not as a result of any actions by those holding the crew hostage but due to illness.”Pirates attacked the Elka Aristotle on Nov. 4, taking four of the ship's 24-member crew hostage. The Gulf of Guinea, where the incident occurred, is considered a high-risk area by the International Maritime Bureau.

Source: International New York Times December 13, 2019 18:56 UTC