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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| US captain held by pirates freed | US captain held by pirates freed |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The captain of a US container ship taken hostage by Somali pirates has been released, the US Navy has said. | The captain of a US container ship taken hostage by Somali pirates has been released, the US Navy has said. |
| Three pirates are reported to have been killed in the operation to free Captain Richard Phillips, who had been held in a lifeboat for several days. | Three pirates are reported to have been killed in the operation to free Captain Richard Phillips, who had been held in a lifeboat for several days. |
| Capt Phillips was "resting comfortably" aboard a US warship after a medical check-up, a spokesman for the Navy's 5th Fleet said. | |
| He was seized when pirates attacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama, on Wednesday. | He was seized when pirates attacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama, on Wednesday. |
| On Friday he failed in an attempt to swim free. | On Friday he failed in an attempt to swim free. |
| An unnamed US official told the Associated Press news agency that Capt Phillips was freed in what appeared to be a swift firefight. | An unnamed US official told the Associated Press news agency that Capt Phillips was freed in what appeared to be a swift firefight. |
| Reports say he jumped overboard for a second time, and the pirates were shot and killed before they could take action to get him back. | Reports say he jumped overboard for a second time, and the pirates were shot and killed before they could take action to get him back. |
| US forces apparently took advantage of the fact one of the pirates was negotiating on the USS Bainbridge when the incident happened. | US forces apparently took advantage of the fact one of the pirates was negotiating on the USS Bainbridge when the incident happened. |
| 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 exam, 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. | 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. |
| Crew's relief | Crew's relief |
| Media reports say his family was informed of his release several hours ago. | Media reports say his family was informed of his release several hours ago. |
| 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. | "This is truly a very happy Easter for the family," the statement said. |
| The head of Maersk thanked the Navy, FBI and others for helping in the release. | The head of Maersk thanked the Navy, FBI and others for helping in the release. |
| "We join Richard's family, his crew and his colleagues ashore in celebrating this wonderful news," John Reinhart said in a statement. | "We join Richard's family, his crew and his colleagues ashore in celebrating this wonderful news," John Reinhart said in a statement. |
| "We look forward to welcoming him home in the coming days." | "We look forward to welcoming him home in the coming days." |
| The BBC's Karen Allen in the Kenyan port of Mombasa says there will be relief among the ship's crew, who are currently being questioned by US federal agents there. | The BBC's Karen Allen in the Kenyan port of Mombasa says there will be relief among the ship's crew, who are currently being questioned by US federal agents there. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 'Indebted' | 'Indebted' |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The Maersk Alabama was taking aid to Somalia when it was attacked | |
| "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." | "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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| They were freed 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. |