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Hijacked US crew 'retake vessel' Hijacked US crew 'retake vessel'
(10 minutes later)
The US crew of a ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia has apparently retaken control of the vessel, the Pentagon says. There are conflicting reports about whether the US crew of a container ship seized by pirates off Somalia have regained full control of the ship.
Defence officials were quoted as saying one pirate had been captured by the 20-strong crew of the Maersk Alabama, seized earlier in the Indian Ocean. Relatives of the Maersk Alabama's 20 crew and Pentagon sources were quoted in the US media as saying the ship was back under control after a struggle.
But reports suggest the pirates may still be holding the captain and talks are under way for his release. But more recent reports suggested the captain of the vessel might still be in the hands of the hijackers.
It was the sixth ship seized off Somalia in recent days.It was the sixth ship seized off Somalia in recent days.
It is reportedly the first time in 200 years that a US-flagged vessel has been seized by pirates.It is reportedly the first time in 200 years that a US-flagged vessel has been seized by pirates.
Military spokeswoman Lt Col Elizabeth Hibner told Reuters: "It is our understanding that the crew is back in control of the ship."Military spokeswoman Lt Col Elizabeth Hibner told Reuters: "It is our understanding that the crew is back in control of the ship."
The Associated Press later reported that they had spoken to a sailor with an American accent on board the Maersk Alabama who confirmed that the crew had retaken the vessel and one pirate had been captured.The Associated Press later reported that they had spoken to a sailor with an American accent on board the Maersk Alabama who confirmed that the crew had retaken the vessel and one pirate had been captured.
But the unnamed sailor told AP that three of the pirates were now holding the captain hostage in a lifeboat.But the unnamed sailor told AP that three of the pirates were now holding the captain hostage in a lifeboat.
Government officials told the agency that the details were murky and they declined to confirm the report.Government officials told the agency that the details were murky and they declined to confirm the report.
Crew 'is safe'Crew 'is safe'
The ship's owners, Maersk, said they could not confirm that the ship had been retaken.The ship's owners, Maersk, said they could not confirm that the ship had been retaken.
But chief executive John Reinhart said contact had been made with the crew.But chief executive John Reinhart said contact had been made with the crew.
"We have a crisis centre and we have vessel managers and superintendents that are working with the vessel at all times," he told a news conference."We have a crisis centre and we have vessel managers and superintendents that are working with the vessel at all times," he told a news conference.
"We had a cell-phone call from a member of the crew that said the crew is safe.""We had a cell-phone call from a member of the crew that said the crew is 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 pirate attacks were reported in 2008, including almost 50 successful hijacks.More than 130 pirate attacks were reported in 2008, including almost 50 successful hijacks.
Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies - last year the firms handed over about £80m (£54m).Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies - last year the firms handed over about £80m (£54m).
The huge increase in frequency of attacks has forced several navies to deploy warships in the Gulf of Aden to protect one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.The huge increase in frequency of attacks has forced several navies to deploy warships in the Gulf of Aden to protect one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.