Maritime
Somali Pirates Release Hijacked Tanker – All Crew Safe
T he EU Naval Force ( Somalia ) has confirmed that fuel tanker Aris 13 and her crew are now en route to a safe port on the north coast of Somalia after armed pirates , who had been holding the crew since Monday 13 March 2017 , departed the ship . The master confirmed that his crew had suffered no injuries during their 4-day ordeal .
Security official Ahmed Mohamed told The Associated Press the pirates disembarked the ship , which was heading to Bossaso port , the region ’ s commercial hub , with its eight Sri Lankan crew members aboard .
Mohamed said the release occurred after negotiations by local elders and officials with the pirates , who seized the tanker on Monday .
It is understood that members of the Puntland Maritime Police Force assisted with the ship ’ s release and are currently on board .
Further details about the release are still to be confirmed . Background The Comoros-flagged tanker , Aris 13 , with Sri Lankan crew was hijacked by armed pirates in an anchorage off the north coast of Puntland , close to Alula . The pirates had approached the vessel in two skiffs in the Gulf of Aden .
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