Suffolk man fears for kidnapped sister

Published: 10:02 PM October 27, 2009 Updated: 8:23 PM October 11, 2020

A SUFFOLK man has spoken of his anxious wait for news of a British couple feared kidnapped by pirates during their dream retirement voyage.

Paul Chandler, 58, and his wife Rachel, 55, went missing while sailing their yacht through waters near Somalia notorious for pirate attacks.

Mrs Chandler's brother, Stephen Collett, of Ixworth, near Bury St Edmunds, said the couple were aware of the risks they faced.

“They knew the dangers,” the 58-year-old told ITV news. “They have got cool heads, but it not a pleasant place to be if they have been caught.

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“My sister and brother-in-law are certainly not a wealthy couple. I think everything they've got is invested in their boat, so if they have been captured then the pirates have got the boat, which is as much as they're going to find really.”

He added: “They should be well treated because pirates tend to do things for ransom. They don't want dead bodies - they want healthy people to be able to bargain with.