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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Pirates free crew of Spanish boat | Pirates free crew of Spanish boat |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Pirates have released a Spanish fishing boat and its 26 crew members seized off the coast of Somalia last week. | Pirates have released a Spanish fishing boat and its 26 crew members seized off the coast of Somalia last week. |
| The Playa de Bakio, a Basque tuna fishing boat, was released along with all of its crew on Saturday, the Spanish government says. | The Playa de Bakio, a Basque tuna fishing boat, was released along with all of its crew on Saturday, the Spanish government says. |
| Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa de la Vega said the crew were safe and on their way to "safer waters". | Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa de la Vega said the crew were safe and on their way to "safer waters". |
| Ms de la Vega said the release had been achieved through negotiations, and declined to comment on any ransom. | |
| However, a local official in the Somali port of Haradhere told Reuters news agency the pirates had been given $1.2m (£0.6m) - brought to them in a small boat. | |
| Ms de la Vega said her government had taken steps to ensure that "a similar situation does not taken place again". | |
| "We must put an end to maritime piracy," she added. | "We must put an end to maritime piracy," she added. |
| The Basque tuna boat was attacked by pirates armed with grenade launchers about 250 miles (400km) off the coast of Somalia on 20 April. | The Basque tuna boat was attacked by pirates armed with grenade launchers about 250 miles (400km) off the coast of Somalia on 20 April. |
| The government was making plans to repatriate the crew of 13 Spaniards and 13 Africans, Ms de la Vega said. | The government was making plans to repatriate the crew of 13 Spaniards and 13 Africans, Ms de la Vega said. |
| Somali coastal waters are among the most hazardous in the world. | Somali coastal waters are among the most hazardous in the world. |
| Last year, more than 25 ships were seized by pirates in Somali coastal waters. | Last year, more than 25 ships were seized by pirates in Somali coastal waters. |
| Somalia has not had an effective central government for more than 17 years and is plagued by insecurity. | Somalia has not had an effective central government for more than 17 years and is plagued by insecurity. |