The Chandlers & the price of freedom

[chirpychirpy]

Good news that Paul & Rachel Chandler have been released more than a year after being taken captive by Somali pirates. Even better news for them is that, in this modern age, with their freedom comes massive deals to sell their story to the Media, an even bigger book deal (including an account of how they dealt with the Media on returning home!) and the obligatory movie of the book. Within another year they should be millionaires at least once over. Almost worth getting kidnapped for, eh?

[ummmm]

No. The psychological damage can be too extreme to put a price on it. They are also at risk from suffering from post traumatic shock.

I would rather live with peace of mind..

[naomi24]

That is truly wonderful news - but if you think the money is worth getting kidnapped for you can have no conception of what they've been through.

[RATTER15]

They deserve every penny they get, this may help to put some of this behind them, to think they would agree with your ridiculous statement would probably offend and upset them deeply!!

[123everton]

No, but you could give it a whirl if you like, can't be that difficult to get kidnapped in Somalia.

[jackthehat]

Is that 'The Milk of Human Kindness'I can smell this morning.................?

[123everton]

No I think it's fried egg.

[boxtops]

Authors of their own misfortune - I know I'm not alone in this view of their foolhardiness http://www.theanswerb...s/Question957588.html

[chrissa1]

Ooohhh, that's why they got kidnapped!! Of course, silly me.

[ummmm]

Boxy...yes they were. They didn't do it for money though.

[boxtops]

of course not ummm, but look how much it's cost to rescue them.

[ummmm]

How much?

[chrissa1]

Nothing from the Uk as far as I can see.

[boxtops]

OK, I've not seen if there is a ransom figure but that's what I understand from earlier posts - the cost of diplomatic negotiations, man hours, to try to get them out, if nothing else. Taxpayers' money.

[murraymints]

let them be ! Would youlike to be held captive ?

[chrissa1]

Man Hours !! What else are these Civil Service chappies meant to do with their time?

[boxtops]

Certainly not, but I hope I would never been foolhardy enough to put myself in that position anyway. Sailing in the waters off Somalia is risky for huge cargo ships, let alone a tiny private vessel.

[murraymints]

As a civil servant you do not know what you are talking about. I work without overtime to see to the public

[chrissa1]

I heard that they were only 100 miles from the Seychelles and that the pirates were venturing much farther from the coast of Somalia than they had been in the past.

[berniecuddles]

Sky's Africa correspondent Emma Hurd said a ransom of up to $1m (£600,000) was paid to the pirates to secure the release.

It is understood private individuals, including family and friends, locals and exiled Somalis, came up with the money.

The Chandlers' family said: "We are delighted,"