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Hijacked US crew 'retake vessel' Hijacked US crew 'retake vessel'
(30 minutes later)
The US crew of a ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia has retaken control of the vessel, according to Pentagon sources.The US crew of a ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia has retaken control of the vessel, according to Pentagon sources.
Unnamed US defence officials said one pirate had been captured by the crew of the Danish-owned Maersk Alabama, which was seized earlier in the Indian Ocean. Unnamed US defence officials said one pirate had been captured by the crew of the Maersk Alabama, seized earlier in the Indian Ocean.
The status of the other pirates was unknown, but officials said they were "in the water". But the vessel's Danish owners, Maersk, said they could not confirm that the crew had fought off the pirates.
It was the sixth hijack in recent days, including a British and Taiwanese ship. It was the sixth ship seized off Somalia in recent days.
The Associated Press quoted a defence official as saying: "It's reported that one pirate is on board under crew control - the other three were trying to flee." The Associated Press quoted a defence official as saying: "The crew is back in control of the ship.
"It's reported that one pirate is on board under crew control - the other three were trying to flee."
Reports suggest the other three pirates jumped overboard.Reports suggest the other three pirates jumped overboard.
The ship's owners, Maersk, have not confirmed that the ship has been retaken. Maersk's chief executive, John Reinhart, said he could not confirm that the ship had been retaken, but told AFP news agency he believed the crew was safe.
But the firm's chief executive, John Reinhart, told AFP news agency that the crew was safe.
The ship was attacked by several small boats in the early hours of Wednesday in an incident apparently lasting for about five hours.The ship was attacked by several small boats in the early hours of Wednesday in an incident apparently lasting for about five hours.
Maritime officials said the vessel took all possible evasive action before it reported that the pirates had boarded.Maritime officials said the vessel took all possible evasive action before it reported that the pirates had boarded.
More than 130 pirates attacks, including close to 50 successful hijackings, were reported in 2008, threatening one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.More than 130 pirates attacks, including close to 50 successful hijackings, were reported in 2008, threatening one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.