London, Nov.16 A British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean are ill and refusing to eat or drink, according to the Somali pirates who have captured them.

Paul and Rachel Chandler were taken hostage from their yacht Lynn Rival on October 23.

The pirates are asking for a ransom of 4.2 million pounds for releasing the couple, who hail from Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

The Chandlers were sailing from the Seychelles towards Tanzania when they were kidnapped, reports The Times.

They became ill from infected food or water.

Awali, one of the pirates, said: "Sometimes they will not speak to us, and sometimes they refuse to eat or drink. They have serious health problems. The woman is vomiting often."

After they were taken into Somalian waters, the couple were moved on to a container ship, the Kota Wajar, which had been captured by the pirates. (ANI)