Somali Pirates Kill Four American Hostages

U.S. officials have confirmed Somali pirates have killed four American hostages on board the hijacked yacht S/V Quest. A United States Navy warship had been tracking the Quest ever since pirates seized it off the coast of Oman last Friday.

Authorities were negotiating for the release of all four hostages when gunshots were heard around 1 a.m. ET Tuesday. U.S. Forces then boarded and took control of the Quest. Attempts to save the hostages were unsuccessful and all four died of their wounds. They have been identified by the media as Jean Adam, Scott Adam, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle. The Adams owned the vessel.

“During the boarding of the Quest, the reaction force was engaged by pirates on board the vessel. Two pirates died during the confrontation and 13 were captured and detained along with two pirates already in US Forces custody," U.S. Central Command said in a statement Tuesday.

"Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately died of their wounds," Central Command said.

Within the last month, pirates have hijacked three vessels – two tankers off the coast of Oman and one tanker in the Indian Ocean. It is estimated Somali pirates currently have 29 hijacked ships and 660 hostages.

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