Four Russian sailors stranded in Panama return home

Four of the 11 Russian sailors from the a cargo ship stranded off Panama's coast since April flew to Russia on Saturday

MEXICO, November 8 (RIA Novosti) - Four of the 11 Russian sailors from the a cargo ship stranded off Panama's coast since April flew to Russia on Saturday, the ship's captain, Vladimir Verevkin, told RIA Novosti by phone on Sunday.

"The tickets... were bought by Panama's authorities," the captain said.

The Panama-flagged Piruit bulk freighter with 11 Russian sailors on board has been stranded since it ran ground while crossing the Panama Canal. The sailors have received no wages since, and were running low on food supplies.

If the ship's owner fails to settle the dispute with the sailors amicably and to pay them over $300,000 in wage arrears, the vessel will be auctioned off.

"We are set to stay in Panama until wage arrears are paid in full as we and our families have no other sources of income," Verevkin said.

If the ship's owner fails to settle the dispute with the sailors amicably and to pay them over $300,000 in wage arrears, the vessel will be auctioned off. The deadline is November 16.