Four Cambodian fisherman freed after a near five year ordeal as hostages at the hands of Somali pirates returned to Phnom Penh yesterday to be reunited with their families.
The men, wearing Cambodian chequered scarves, were flanked by police as they arrived and were whisked away in a van through the waiting press pack.
They are among 26 hostages freed from the crew of Naham 3 seized south of the Seychelles in March 2012, the second longest hostage-taking ever by Somali pirates.
In brief comments before he was hustled into the van one man, who did not want to give his name, told reporters he was “very happy...so glad” to be free.
The men are expected to be reunited with their families on Monday.
The Naham 3’s crew, which also included seafarers from China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan.
The captain of their Omani-flagged vessel died during the hijacking and two other crew members passed away due to sickness during the hostage drama.
Other captives who returned to their countries last week described an ordeal of beatings, threats and deprivation of food and medicine, leaving hostages to scavenge for mice, scorpions and centipedes.