Pirate Hostages Plead for Help in YouTube Video

A shipping industry group has released a harrowing video of Danish and Filipino seamen being held hostage by Somali pirates. The men, who were seized when pirates hijacked a Danish cargo ship in January, plead for their freedom in the video, which Save Our Seafarers says it uploaded to YouTube to raise awareness of the human cost of piracy, the AP reports.

Pirates holding weapons are visible in the background of the video, in which Danish crew member Soeren Lyngbjoern says the hostages are often afraid and he has been suffering health problems. "I don't think I live for much more," he says. The ship's owner has released a statement denying suggestions that the company hasn't been doing everything possible to secure the men's release. (More Somali pirates stories.)