Pirates strike Amazon River cruise

Armed bandits boarded the luxury Amazon River cruiser, Aqua, last Sunday near the Peruvian town of Nauta robbing passengers of money and valuables.

Six armed robbers bailed up the 24 passengers and 21 crew in a brazen attack that has left many of the mainly European and American guests traumatised, according to a report in the industry newspaper, Travel Weekly. The attack occurred on the Peruvian section of the Amazon River as the vessel was returning to the port of Nauta to disembark guests. No-one was hurt in the attack which lasted less than one hour. The company operating the vessel, Peru-based Aqua Expeditions, has refunded passengers cruise fares and managed their return flights and has also offered a free return cruise. Peru Minister of Tourism Martin Perez said the government has launched an investigation into the incident. "My first priority is to ensure that safety measures are immediately set in place to ensure this cannot ever happen again," Perez said in a statement. In December 2001, celebrated New Zealand yachtsman, Sir Peter Blake, was murdered by pirates during a bungled robbery while anchored off the Brazilian town of Macapa near the Amazon River mouth. The 24-passenger Aqua, one of the most luxurious cruise ships on the Peruvian Amazon, entered service in early 2008 and runs river cruises through the Amazon River Basin year-round. The 130 foot vessel has 12 suites, including four master suites.