Six Russian sailors together with one Estonian were kidnapped off the Nigerian southern coast, a French oil and gas services company reports.

      According to Paris-based Bourbon SA company, an accident took place on Wednesday in Nigeria’s southern Niger Delta. Armed men attacked the company's ship, took the senior crew members hostage for ransom and escaped. The remaining nine sailors onboard the vessel sailed away safely.

      The Foreign Ministry and the Russian Embassy in Nigeria are in close contact with the ship’s owner and Nigerian authorities taking all the necessary measures to ensure the sailors' safety.

      As a rule, Nigerian pirates release their hostages after receiving a ransom.