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Fearful pirate-held pair in TV plea
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The British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates have spoken on camera for the first time to warn that their captors are "losing patience" and could kill them within a week.
Surrounded by men brandishing machine guns - some pointed directly at them - Paul and Rachel Chandler spoke calmly about their plight.
The footage was filmed for Channel 4 News on Wednesday and broadcast on Friday night.
Mr Chandler said they were "unharmed and in reasonable physical health" but that the "kidnappers were losing patience". He urged the Government to start negotiations over a ransom and said: "I have no doubt that they will not hesitate to kill us, perhaps between a week or so of now if there is no response."
The couple said their captors had told them that a terrorist cell was looking for them and that they could "sleepwalk to a tragic end".
Mr Chandler said: "This is our 27th day in captivity. We have been threatened that there is a terrorist gang at large in the country looking for us. We are also concerned that these people will lose patience and will not feed us."
It was not clear whether the words were their own, and the couple appeared nervous and subdued but were not tearful. Channel 4 said that their family had agreed that the film should be broadcast.
The Chandlers disappeared on October 23 as they sailed from the Seychelles in their 38ft yacht Lynn Rival towards Tanzania.
Four days later a news agency was contacted by a pirate called Hassan who said he had the couple captive and ransom demands would follow.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the video. Any such video will be distressing for the family. The UK Government's policy is clear: We do not make substantive concessions to hostage takers, including the payment of ransoms. These are innocent tourists. We seek the immediate release of Paul and Rachel."
