Search and rescue teams hunting for a retired British couple feared kidnapped by pirates in the Indian Ocean have spotted a yacht towing a pirates' skiff towards the Somalian coast.
Nothing has been heard of Paul and Rachel Chandler, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, since the distress beacon aboard their 38ft vessel, Lynn Rival, was activated on Friday night.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is "urgently investigating" reports that the couple, on a round-the-world dream voyage, are being held for ransom after being boarded as they headed through dangerous waters towards Tanzania from the Seychelles.
Tonight the European Union Naval Force Somalia reported a helicopter from a ship involved in the search had spotted a yacht towing a skiff, or small pirate boat, 200 miles south-east of the Somalian port of Harardhere, a pirate haven.
"The helicopter went up to look at some skiff activity in the area. The light was just fading. As he was heading across the horizon he saw the yacht," said EU naval force spokesman, Commander John Harbour.
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