Russian, Estonian crew released by pirates

6 Russian sailors and an Estonian national were freed Thursday after being abducted by gunmen off the coast of Nigeria Oct. 15, officials said. The Russian Embassy in Nigeria confirmed the release of the crew of Bourbon Liberty 249 in a Twitter post, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported. "Russia appreciates the contribution of Nigeria, France, Luxembourg and Estonia to releasing the crew of Bourbon Liberty 249," the embassy said. Pirates attacked the men Oct. 15, kidnapping them and leaving nine other crew members aboard the Bourbon Liberty 249. The vessel is owned by a French company and is used to tow anchors for oil rigs or mobile drilling rigs, Xinhua reported. Details on the release were not reported. Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet noted the cooperation between Estonia, the ship's French owners and other international partners, RIA Novosti reported. "Now we need to help the Estonian citizen get home as fast as possible," Paet said.