Somalia: Talks to Free Egyptian Sailors Held By Somali Pirates Collapse Over Ransom Dispute

Mogadishu — Negotiations aimed at securing the release of eight Egyptian sailors held hostage by Somali pirates have collapsed after the kidnappers withdrew from a preliminary agreement and demanded additional ransom payments, officials said.

El-Sayed El-Shazly, head of Egypt’s Maritime Officers Association, told local media that talks had stalled after the pirates sought more money than had been agreed during earlier negotiations.

The sailors were aboard the oil tanker M/T Eureka, which was…