Abducted Algerian sailors to return home on Saturday

The Algerian-flagged bulk carrier MV Blida and its Algerian crew members abducted by Somali pirates are expected to return home on Saturday, the shipowner said Tuesday. Nacereddine Mansouri, executive officer of the shipowner International Bulk Carrier (IBC) told the local state-run radio station that MV Blida is heading to the port of Mombasa in Kenya with its crew members, and is due to reach the port on Thursday. The Algerian authorities have reserved a special flight to carry home the 16 Algerian sailors from Mombasa on Saturday, Nacereddine said. MV Blida, with 27 crew members, was kidnapped in the high seas by Somali pirates in January when it was heading for Mombasa. Two of the crew members, an Algerian and a Ukrainian, were released in October, while the others were released last week.