According to a new press release from Turkish General Staff, the boarding team on board of M/V Leopard finished its throughout search for the crew without finding them.
Meanwhile the owners of the M/V Leopard contacted NATO Standing Naval Task Group SNMG-2/CTF-508 and informed that the pirates contacted them, and confirmed the fact that all the crew of M/V Leopard, 2 Danes and 4 Filipinos, were kidnapped.
Turkish frigate from task force in the region, "TCG Gaziantep" is ordered to remain in the vicinity of the merchant ship until tugs hired by Leopard's owner will arrive and start towing her.
Turkish SAT Commandos from frigate TCG Gaziantep boarded the M/V Leopard
Turkish SAT Commandos from frigate TCG Gaziantep boarded the M/V Leopard