4 American hostages killed by pirates off Somalia - ABC News

The Associated Press
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By JASON STRAZIUSO Associated Press and Mr. MALKHADIR MUHUMED

NAIROBI, Kenya 22nd February 2011 (AP)

In this 11th June 2005 Photo: Joe Grande, Phyllis and Bob Riggle Macay provided on a yacht in Bodega Bay, California and Macay Riggle, both of Seattle, be, be on the yacht Quest by Somali pirates have hijacked Friday, February. February 18, 2011 off the coast of Oman. Quest owner, Adam Scott and John of California, are also on board. (AP Photo / Joe Grand) NO SALES

(AP)

A U.S. Navy destroyer was the observation of a hijacked ship with four Americans on board when an attacker fired a bazooka, followed by bursts of rifle. U.S. special forces got into the boat occupied only four Americans found fatally wounded.

The sailors from California and Washington killed off the coast of East Africa on Tuesday, the first Americans by Somali pirates were killed in a wave of attacks began six years ago. An American couple were sailing around the world since 2004 to distribute Bibles.

The death of four passengers, all in their late 50's and 60 seemed to focus on a more brutal and aggressive move by pirates in the treatment of hostages.

Killing hostages "have become part of our rules," said one hacker, who identified himself as Abdi Muse. He said last week as the turning point of a pirate sentenced to 33 years in prison for attack 2009 on the American ship "Maersk Alabama" - just two days before the kidnapping.

"From now on, all the world to save the hostages in the hands, just trying to collect the corpses," said Abdi. "It will never happen, that the hostages are rescued and we moved to the prison."

Hillary Rodham Clinton's foreign minister condemned the killing of Americans as "unfortunate," he said in a statement the killing, the need for international cooperation was emphasized in the fight against the scourge of piracy in waters off the Horn of Africa.

Adam Scott and Jean from Marina del Rey, near Los Angeles, had their 58-foot sailboat Quest worldwide since December 2004 and was added in the last months of Phyllis and Bob Riggle Macay Seattle.

Four U.S. warships have been shadowing the research, since shortly after it was seized in southern Oman, on Friday and U.S. officials were in radio contact with the hostage taker as hackers tried to navigate on the Somali coast. The power behind these kidnappings cons ransom - a multi-million dollars - not with the pirates at sea, but their capital in the country. And when the hijackers to reach the shore with their hostages, the recording options are limited.