A round-the-world boating adventure ended tragically today for four Americans, whom pirates shot to death after capturing their yacht in the Indian Ocean last week, U.S. officials said.
The 58-foot vessel, named the Quest, was being shadowed by the military after pirates captured the ship off the coast of Oman on Friday. Officials had said earlier Tuesday it was less than two days from the Somali coast.
Ship owners Jean and Scott Adam and Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle were found shot after U.S. forces boarded the vessel about 1 a.m. ET, officials said.
The forces responded after a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at a U.S. Navy ship about 600 yards away — and missed — and the sound of gunfire could be heard on board the Quest, U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Mark Fox told reporters.
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“Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately died of their wounds,” U.S. Central Command said.
The incident took place as negotiations involving the FBI were under way for the hostages’ release. (CNN)
