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Pirates free crew of Spanish boat | Pirates free crew of Spanish boat |
(about 1 hour 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". |
She said the release had been achieved through talks. A local official told the BBC a $1.2m ransom had been paid. | |
"Five men on a speed boat came to the ship and informed the pirates that they were ready to meet their demand of ransom," said Abdi-salam Khalif Ahmed, a local leader in the Somali port town of Haradhere. | |
"They then boarded the ship and handed a bag with $1.2m to the leader of the pirates." | |
Ms de la Vega, who did not comment on whether a ransom had been paid, 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. |