Pirates demand $25m ransom for oil tanker

Somali pirates who hijacked Saudi oil super-tanker Sirius Star yesterday demanded $25 million (€19.9m) in ransom and set a 10-day deadline amid mounting calls for tougher action on sea bandits.

“We are demanding 25 million dollars from the Saudi owners of the tanker. We do not want long-term discussions to resolve the matter,” a pirate who identified himself as Mohamed Said said from the ship, now anchored at the Somali pirate lair of Harardhere.

“The Saudis have 10 days to comply, otherwise we will take action that could be disastrous,” Said added.