Africa News
Denmark frees hostages, detains suspected pirates off Somalia
Jan 8, 2012, 15:14 GMT
Copenhagen - A Danish naval vessel has freed 14 hostages and detained 25 suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia, the navy said Sunday.
The 14 hostages, who were nationals of Iran and Pakistan, had been held 'for a couple of months,' navy spokesman Mikael Bill told dpa, before being freed Saturday.
The hostages were in reasonably good health after their ordeal but had been subjected to some rough treatment while held onboard their fishing vessel.
'They were quite relieved when they were released and had the opportunity to phone their relatives' he said.
The Danish vessel the Absalon has since December been deployed as part of an international action patrolling the sea lanes off Somalia.
Military police on the Absalon were investigating the case. It was not immediately clear what would happen to the pirates.
The Danish vessel had tracked the suspected fishing vessel for some hours before intervening. None of the hostages, suspected pirates or crew of the Absalon had been injured in Saturday's operation that took place 'off the Horn of Africa,' the spokesman said.
The spokesman had no details if weapons were seized but said the Danish navy also found smaller boats with large outboard engines, often used by pirates, on the apprehended pirate vessel.
The Absalon has taken part in previous operations off the Horn of Africa and was expected to be in the area until mid-April.
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