Somali pirates claim to hold British couple

Relatives of a British couple feared captured by pirates met with the Somali Prime Minister yesterday, as navy ships continued to monitor a yacht they hoped was the missing vessel.

Retired quantity surveyor Paul Chandler and his wife, economist Rachel Chandler, both in their fifties, disappeared a week ago after sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania in some of the most dangerous shipping waters in the world. Several claims have come in from the known pirate haven of Haradheere in Somalia, insisting that a gang has the couple and will be demanding a ransom.

Last night Commander John Harbour, spokesman for the European Naval Force Somalia, said crews were continuing to monitor a yacht towing a skiff that had been seen heading towards the Somali coast, but had yet to confirm it was the Chandlers' 38ft Lynn Rival.

In total, 172 people are now held hostage on seven vessels along the Somali coast.