Dhaka, March 13 -- The Somali pirates who hijacked the ship MV Abdullah have threatened to start killing the Bangladeshi sailors held hostage unless they are paid a ransom.

In a message sent to his wife, the vessel's Chief Officer Atiq Ullah Khan said, "Pass on this message to everyone because they are taking away our mobiles. The final word is that, if they are not paid the money, they will start killing us one by one."

"The quicker the money can be sent, the quicker we can be released. Pass on this message to everybody. They are taking our mobiles. They are taking our mobiles."

In an audio message sent by Chief Engineer Saiduzzaman to the ship's owners, he said, "Sir, they are seizing our mobiles. This is our last chance. If you can ...