Somali pirates free Indian, Bangladeshi sailors

Sun Nov 15, 2009

Somali pirates have released nine Indian and Bangladeshi seamen after north Somalia Puntland elites intervened to liberate the fishermen.

The seafarers were freed around the semi-autonomous Puntland capital of Garowe on Saturday, after the region's tribal leaders reportedly negotiated their release from their pirate captors.

The sailors' original vessel has not yet been identified since Somali pirates have been holding at least 13 ships and more than 230 crew hostage, Reuters reported.

The sailors "are all healthy and at a hotel here waiting for their departure," said a driver hired by the pirates, speaking with journalists.

"Their release came after joint efforts by local businessmen and clan elders," he added.

Piracy has become a thriving business in the poverty-stricken and lawless Horn of Africa nation, as local gunmen continue to search the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters for hunting ships in order to collect ransom in lieu of their captives' liberation.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/111343.html.