Somali Pirates Free Hijacked Spanish Fishing Boat

Somali pirates on Saturday released a Spanish fishing boat hijacked off the country’s north-eastern coast, after they received a ransom, officials said.

“Five men on a speed boat came to the ship and informed the pirates that they were ready to meet their demand for a ransom, they then boarded the ship and handed over a bag with US$1.2 million to the leader of the pirates,” said Abdi-Salam Khalif Ahmed, the chairman of Hara-dhere town in north-eastern Somalia.

“The pirates got off the ship and headed for inland, and now the ship is free and the pirates have disappeared into their villages near Galkayo, in central Somalia,” Mr.Ahmed said.

“A small frigate could be seen escorting the fishing boat to safety back on its way, believed to have been sent by Spain,” the chairman told APA by telephone.

The tuna fishing boat Playa de Bakio, with a crew of 26; 13 Spaniards and 13 Africans, was seized by pirates 200 miles from the Somali coast last Sunday.

It was expected that the boat will arrive in Victoria, the Seychelles capital, on Tuesday.

Source African Press Agency

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