This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6959729.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
'Ransom paid' to free Danish ship Ransom paid to free Danish ship
(about 9 hours later)
The crew of a Danish cargo ship held by Somali pirates since early June were released after a ransom was paid, Denmark's foreign ministry says. The Danish government says the owners of a Danish cargo ship seized by Somali pirates in June paid a ransom to secure its return.
No details of the amount paid were given, but Danish TV reported that the pirates had demanded $1.5m (£750,000). A spokesman said the government was disappointed, but understood why the Danica White's owners had paid for the release of the ship and its five crew.
The Danica White was hijacked off the Somali coast while heading for the Kenyan port of Mombasa to deliver a cargo of building materials. No details of the deal were given, but Danish television reported that the pirates had demanded $1.5m (£750,000).
The pirates have now turned the vessel over to a French warship. The pirates turned the vessel over to a French warship on Wednesday.
It was expected to arrive in Djibouti this weekend, and Denmark planned to send a plane to bring the crew home, the government spokesman said.
Warning shots
The Danish ship was hijacked off the Somali coast on 2 June while heading for the Kenyan port of Mombasa to deliver a cargo of building materials.
The five crew members are undergoing a medical evaluation before being reunited with their families.The five crew members are undergoing a medical evaluation before being reunited with their families.
The Danish foreign ministry said the crew are in good condition, "although the hijacking has been a great strain".The Danish foreign ministry said the crew are in good condition, "although the hijacking has been a great strain".
Danish TV2 News reported that security firm Protocols said it had paid ransom of $1.5m for the release of the ship and crew. Days after the ship was captured, a US ship fired several warning shots across its bow and destroyed three boats the pirates had used in their attack and were towing behind the Danish vessel.
Dangerous waters
Days after the Danica White was captured on 2 June, a US ship fired several warning shots across its bow and destroyed three boats the pirates had used in their attack and were towing behind the Danish vessel.
But the US ship stopped its pursuit after the pirates navigated the Danica White into Somalia's territorial waters, where the US does not have jurisdiction.But the US ship stopped its pursuit after the pirates navigated the Danica White into Somalia's territorial waters, where the US does not have jurisdiction.
Somalia's waters are reported to be among the most dangerous in the world.Somalia's waters are reported to be among the most dangerous in the world.
Somali pirates are trained fighters, and often use speedboats equipped with satellite phones and Global Positioning System technology.Somali pirates are trained fighters, and often use speedboats equipped with satellite phones and Global Positioning System technology.
They target passenger and cargo vessels for ransom or loot, and use the money to buy weapons.They target passenger and cargo vessels for ransom or loot, and use the money to buy weapons.