Pirates killed in skirmish with warship
Four Somalis killed and 24 captured in firefight that saw 16 hostages freed The Danish navy killed four pirates and released sixteen Iranian hostages after a skirmish with a pirate boat off the Somalian coast last Thursday. The Navy announced...
The Danish navy killed four pirates and released sixteen Iranian hostages after a skirmish with a pirate boat off the Somalian coast last Thursday.
The Navy announced today that the warship Esbern Snare, was approached and fired upon by a pirate ‘mother-ship’ on Thursday morning.
After a firefight between the vessels, the remaining pirates surrendered by throwing their weapons in the sea.
The Navy then took control of boat and detained the remaining 24 pirates.
None of the hostages or the Navy personnel were harmed in the attack though ten pirates were treated onboard the Esben Snare for injuries.
According to Politiken newspaper the four dead pirates were buried at sea according to Nato procedure and Muslim tradition.
Speaking to TV2 News, Navy spokesperson Commander Kenneth Nielsen said: “All the hostages are doing well considering the circumstances.”
Despite the presence of warships off the coast of Somalia piracy still remains a threat to passing ships.
And while the latest incident ended well for the hostages, not all clashes with pirates have positive outcomes.
A botched rescue mission by US forces aboard a hijacked yacht in February resulted in the deaths of four American hostages.
Seven Danes, including three children, hijacked on February 24 after attempting to sail their yacht through the dangerous waters, are still being held hostage by pirates.
As of March, 31 vessels and nearly 700 hostages were being held by pirates off the Somali coast.
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