Somali pirates have released British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler after holding them hostage for more than a year, Somali officials said.
Somali pirates kidnapped the retired couple on 23 October last year after hijacking their 38-foot yacht Lynn Rival in the Indian Ocean off Seychelles.
Mohamed Aden Tiicey, a senior official in the town of Adado, said the Chandlers were handed over early on Sunday after the payment of a ransom.
‘The Chandlers are with me now. They are free and safe,’ he said.
Abdi Mohamed Elmi, a Somali doctor who has been involved in efforts to free the Chandlers, said the couple would leave Adado by aircraft.
Rachel Chandler confirmed they had been freed and said by telephone that they were very happy.
