SOMALI PIRATES FREE HIJACKED SHIP AFTER RANSOM

11.05.2010 [21:19]
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Baku, May 11 (AZERTAC). Somali pirates have released a Bermuda-flagged ship they hijacked in the Indian Ocean two months ago, according to BBC.

Pirates left the 11,000-tonne refrigerated cargo vessel MV Talca after a ransom was paid, the EU anti-piracy force Navfor said.

The ship with a crew of 22 was seized off the coast of Oman. The mostly Sri Lankan crew is reported to be well.

Somali pirates have hijacked dozens of ships this year, despite the presence of international naval forces.

The ransom was dropped onto the ship on Saturday but the pirates only left on Monday, heading for the Somali coast, the European naval force, Navfor, said.

It said it was monitoring the vessel`s progress as it headed towards Oman.

War and weak government in Somalia have allowed piracy to flourish along its coast, with frequent attacks on the busy shipping lanes that link Europe and Asia.

Navfor is one of several international naval forces trying to deter and disrupt the pirates.

SOMALI PIRATES FREE HIJACKED SHIP AFTER RANSOM

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