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US captain rescued from pirates US captain rescued from pirates
(about 3 hours later)
The captain of a US cargo ship taken hostage by Somali pirates has been released and is safe, the US Navy says. US navy snipers have shot dead three pirates holding a US captain in a boat off Somalia, in a dramatic rescue authorised by President Barack Obama.
Three pirates were killed in the operation to free Captain Richard Phillips after being held in a lifeboat for several days. They opened fire from a nearby warship as a pirate pointed a gun at their captive, the navy said.
Captain Phillips was "resting comfortably" aboard a US warship after a medical check-up, a spokesman for the Navy's 5th Fleet said. A fourth pirate, who was on a navy ship at the time, surrendered.
He was seized when pirates attacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama, on Wednesday. Capt Richard Phillips, hailed as a hero for his actions during the hijacking of his vessel last week, was unharmed and has been resting aboard a US warship.
On Friday he failed in an attempt to swim free. He has spoken to his wife and family back in the US and is said to be looking forward to celebrating Easter when he gets home.
The order for US snipers to kill the pirates came when "the on-scene [US navy] commander determined that the captain was in imminent danger," Vice Admiral William Gortney, head of the US Naval Central Command, said in a Pentagon briefing from Bahrain. While defending the rescue operation, a navy spokesman acknowledged that the incident might increase the threat from pirates, whose mounting attacks on shipping have been relatively bloodless to date.
Mr Obama said he was very pleased that Capt Phillips had been rescued and that his courage was a "model for all Americans".
He said he was resolved to deal with the threat of piracy in the region.
'Imminent danger'
Capt Philips was seized by the pirates last Wednesday after his ship the Maersk Alabama was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.
This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it Vice Adm Gortney How Captain Phillips was rescued
The ship had been carrying food aid bound for Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda.
After pirates scrambled aboard using ropes and hooks from a small boat and began shooting in the air, Capt Phillips told his crew to lock themselves in a cabin and surrendered himself to safeguard his men, crew members said.
He was then taken hostage in an enclosed lifeboat that was soon shadowed by US warships and a helicopter.
He tried to escape on Thursday night by diving into the sea but was recaptured by the pirates and negotiations broke down on Saturday, the navy says.
At 1919 local time (1619 GMT) the split-second order was taken for the snipers to shoot.
"The on-scene [US navy] commander determined that the captain was in imminent danger," Vice Admiral William Gortney, head of the US Naval Central Command, said in a Pentagon briefing from Bahrain.
"He had a weapon aimed at him - that would be my interpretation of imminent danger," said Admiral Gortney."He had a weapon aimed at him - that would be my interpretation of imminent danger," said Admiral Gortney.
After the pirates had been shot, troops sailed to the lifeboat and released Capt Phillips, who was tied up inside it. After the pirates were shot, navy personnel sailed to the lifeboat and released Capt Phillips, whom they found tied up inside.
US forces apparently took advantage of the fact that one of the pirates was negotiating on a US Navy vessel when the incident happened.
The surviving pirate is now in US military custody and "being cooperative" according to the navy.
Spokeswoman: Family 'relieved' at release
Capt Phillips was initially taken on board the USS Bainbridge, a warship sent to track the pirates holding him, before being flown to the USS Boxer for a medical examination, navy spokesman Lt Nathan Christensen told AP.
Somali elders had been trying to resolve the standoff but most recent reports had suggested the talks had stalled, apparently because US officials were insisting that the pirates be arrested and brought to justice.
'Model for Americans''Model for Americans'
"At approximately 7.19 pm (1619 GMT) US naval forces rescued Capt Richard Phillips, the master of Motor Vessel Maersk-Alabama," a statement from US Naval Forces Central Command said. Capt Phillips was initially taken on board the USS Bainbridge, a warship sent to track the pirates holding him, before being flown to the USS Boxer for a medical examination, navy spokesman Lt Nathan Christensen said.
"US military forces have one pirate in custody, three were killed in the rescue," it said.
This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it Vice Adm Gortney How Captain Phillips was rescued
Central Commander Vice Admiral Bill Gortney paid tribute to "an incredible team effort" and said he was "extremely proud of the tireless efforts of all the men and women who made this rescue possible."
US President Barack Obama said he was very pleased that Capt Phillips had been rescued and that his courage was a "model for all Americans".
He said he was resolved to deal with the threat of piracy in the region.
Admiral Gortney acknowledged that the military end to this hostage incident may raise the stakes for pirates in the region.
"This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it."
MAJOR PIRATE INCIDENTS Ukrainian ship MV Faina seized on 25 September 2008, held until 5 February 2009Saudi tanker Sirius Star held for two months from November 2008; a $3m ransom was negotiatedAt least 15 pirate attacks reported to International Maritime Bureau during March 2009The 32,500-tonnSources at the ship's owne Malaspina Castle, UK-owned but operated by Italians, seized on 6 April 2009. Growing sophistication of pirates Q&A: Somali piracy Profile: Capt Richard Phillips MAJOR PIRATE INCIDENTS Ukrainian ship MV Faina seized on 25 September 2008, held until 5 February 2009Saudi tanker Sirius Star held for two months from November 2008; a $3m ransom was negotiatedAt least 15 pirate attacks reported to International Maritime Bureau during March 2009The 32,500-tonnSources at the ship's owne Malaspina Castle, UK-owned but operated by Italians, seized on 6 April 2009. Growing sophistication of pirates Q&A: Somali piracy Profile: Capt Richard Phillips
Reading a statement on behalf of Capt Phillips' wife Andrea, a spokeswoman for ship owner Maersk Line Ltd said the family was "happy and relieved".Reading a statement on behalf of Capt Phillips' wife Andrea, a spokeswoman for ship owner Maersk Line Ltd said the family was "happy and relieved".
"This is truly a very happy Easter for the family," the statement said.
The head of Maersk praised the captain's behaviour.The head of Maersk praised the captain's behaviour.
"He's a leader of men... he exhibited the true spirit of an American," John Reinhart told reporters.
He said Capt Phillips had told him: "I'm just the byline, the heroes are the Navy seals who brought me home."He said Capt Phillips had told him: "I'm just the byline, the heroes are the Navy seals who brought me home."
Mr Reinhart added that it was time to bring both captain and crew home, and that this would be done "in the next couple of days".Mr Reinhart added that it was time to bring both captain and crew home, and that this would be done "in the next couple of days".
The ship's crew are currently in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, being questioned by US federal agents. The ship's crew are currently in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, where they celebrated by putting a US flag over the side of the ship, whistling, pumping their fists in the air and firing off a red flare.
Crew members put a US flag over the side of the ship, whistled, pumped their fists in the air and fired off a red flare, AP said. 'This could escalate'
'Indebted' Reports suggest talks with the pirates stalled on Saturday because US officials insisted that the pirates be arrested and brought to justice.
They have hailed Capt Phillips as a hero, saying he offered himself as a hostage in order to save them when the Maersk Alabama was attacked. Admiral Gortney accepted that said the military end to the hostage incident might raise the stakes for pirates in the region.
The Maersk Alabama was carrying aid bound for Somalia when attacked "This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it," he told reporters.
Joseph Murphy, the father of the ship's chief officer, Shane Murphy, said in a statement: "Our prayers have been answered on this Easter Sunday. In Eyl, a pirate stronghold on the Somali coast, one self-proclaimed pirate said the US navy had become the "number one enemy".
"My son and our family will forever be indebted to Capt Phillips for his bravery. If not for his incredible personal sacrifice, this kidnapping - an act of terror - could have turned out much worse." "From now on, if we capture foreign ships and their respective countries try to attack us, we will kill them [the hostages]," he told the Associated Press by telephone.
News of the captain's release came shortly after four French citizens, including a three-year-old boy, whose yacht was seized by pirates returned to Paris. Four French citizens, including a three-year-old boy, were freed aboard a yacht by French troops on Friday. The yacht's owner, Florent Lemacon, was killed during the operation along with two pirates.
They were freed by French troops on Friday. The yacht's owner, Florent Lemacon, was killed during the operation along with two pirates.
On Saturday, pirates hijacked a tugboat in the Gulf of Aden. The Buccaneer has 16 crew members on board, 10 of them Italians.On Saturday, pirates hijacked a tugboat in the Gulf of Aden. The Buccaneer has 16 crew members on board, 10 of them Italians.