British couple missing off coast of Somalia

[October 27, 2009]  LONDON (AP) -- Britain's Foreign Office says searches are under way for a British couple missing after their yacht activated a distress beacon off Somalia.

The U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency says Paul and Rachel Chandler were heading from the Seychelles to Tanzania in their yacht, the Lynn Rival, when the distress signal was sent early Friday.

They have not been heard from since, and searches by coast guards based in the Seychelles have failed to spot the boat.

The Foreign Office said Tuesday it is checking reports the couple may have been seized by pirates. It says it is in contact with the couple's family in Britain.

Pirates off lawless Somalia have unleashed a wave of attacks this month, after monsoons had kept them off the water.

[Associated Press]

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