Aircrew kidnapped in Somalia

[Foxcotte]

The major press services are reporting that a Fokker crew and passengers were kidnapped today at Dhusa Mareb in Somalia (as written below). Does anyone know who the crew is, who the operator is etc etc???

MOGADISHU (AFP) — Four foreign aid workers with the French NGO "Action Contre la Faim" (ACF - Action Against Hunger) and their two pilots were kidnapped on Wednesday in central Somalia, witnesses and officials told AFP.
The kidnappings took place at around midday (0900 GMT) in Dhusa Mareb, near the Ethiopian border.
"They were snatched by gunmen as they were trying to leave the airstrip in Dhusa Mareb," said one local residents who had helped the NGO coordinate their trip.
"The plane's pilots were also taken. Thea aid workers were three women and a man working for ACF but I cannot say how many pilots," he added.
Mohamed Abdullahi Moalim, a local elder, confirmed the information and said that the local authorities had set up checkpoints in a bid to intercept the kidnappers and their hostages."The local security forces are trying to trace them but we're not sure in which direction they went," he told AFP.

[Sir Osis of the river]

Africa again..

This is not good.

Heres hoping for a positive outcome, like the Rossair crew that were taken in Mog a number of years ago.

Carefull out there boys and girls.

[Foxcotte]

Absolutely!! I know quite a few of the pilots operating up there, so have fingers crossed this all works out well for everyone...

It would be great to get any good news on these unlucky pilots.... They were just doing their job afterall!

[Capt Megathrust]

Anyone got any news on which type of Fokker was involved - that will help trace the operator. Very sad to think of the guys doing their work and being caught up in national issues not related to them - Hope and pray all well asap

[B Sousa]

The land of anything that pays is acceptable behavior. No Doubt a ransom call will go out soon.
Folks working in this area of the world, usually unprotected are just freebies for the monkeys running that place.

Heres hoping all works out well.

[Foxcotte]

Well, have since heard it wasn't a Fokker but a Dornier operated by Air Traffic (I think that's the name?!?) based in Nairobi. Apparently they very quickly repossessed the abandoned aircraft, and its been seen back in Nairobi.

Not a whole lot said about the pax or crew at this stage. Sounds like the kidnappers are known but no-one wants to jeopardise any negotiations that may be going on by saying too much.

Not a happy state of affairs. My thoughts are with them and their families! Its unnerving to see Kenya slowly but slowly being dragged into the Somalia issue through the Ukraine cargo ship & tank issue, threats and attacks across their mutual borders and now this.

Fingers crossed for a speedy resolution.

[B Sousa]

Apparently they very quickly repossessed the abandoned aircraft, and its been seen back in Nairobi.

That has a nasty ring to it, like whats worth more the crew or the aircraft. Seems if they can find the aircraft they can opt for a quick return of the crew just as easy.........

[perceval]

To be fair they knew where the airplane was , which might not be the case with the crew and pax .Ransom will probably be send to France .Hope they include the kenyan crew in that .
Hope for the best