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Pirates 'overpowered' off Somalia Pirates 'overpowered' off Somalia
(about 11 hours later)
A group of pirates that hijacked a South Korean cargo ship in the waters off Somalia have been overpowered by the crew, according to one official. The crew of a North Korean cargo ship, with US Navy help, have overpowered a group of pirates that hijacked the vessel in waters off Somalia.
Two of the pirates were killed and five captured. Three of the ship's crew were injured, US military officials said.
The ship's capture was reported on Tuesday morning by the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme.The ship's capture was reported on Tuesday morning by the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme.
But a few hours later, the programme's Andrew Mwangura said the ship's 22 crew had regained control of the vessel.
Somalia is notorious for piracy. Only Indonesia's waters are considered more prone to pirate attacks.Somalia is notorious for piracy. Only Indonesia's waters are considered more prone to pirate attacks.
Only on Monday, a Japanese vessel was seized off the East African coast.Only on Monday, a Japanese vessel was seized off the East African coast.
Ransom demand
A helicopter was sent from the warship USS James E Williams to investigate reports of the North Korean ship's hijacking, the US military said in a statement.
We are waiting for the ship to return to port, if nothing happens as they sail back, so that we can get more information Andrew MwanguraEast African Seafarers' Assistance Programme
Navy officials ordered the pirates to surrender their weapons by radio, and the ship's 22 crew then managed to overpower the hijackers, the military said.
Andrew Mwangura, from the Seafarers' Assistance Programme, told AFP news agency the vessel had been was contracted by Mogadishu traders to deliver general cargo.
He said it was believed the ship's crew were from southern Asian nations.
"We are waiting for the ship to return to port, if nothing happens as they sail back, so that we can get more information," Mr Mwangura said.
After Tuesday's hijack, militiamen demanded a $15,000 (£7,250) ransom to free the vessel, said Paddy Ankunda, a spokesman for African Union troops in the Somali capital Mogadishu.After Tuesday's hijack, militiamen demanded a $15,000 (£7,250) ransom to free the vessel, said Paddy Ankunda, a spokesman for African Union troops in the Somali capital Mogadishu.
"The hijacking was masterminded by the same people who were supposed to bring it into the dock," he said."The hijacking was masterminded by the same people who were supposed to bring it into the dock," he said.
The freighter had apparently unloaded its cargo - thought to have been sugar - by the time of its capture. The freighter had apparently unloaded its cargo - thought to have been sugar from India - by the time of its capture.
Mr Mwangura said the crew were sailing the ship back to Mogadishu after defeating the pirates.Mr Mwangura said the crew were sailing the ship back to Mogadishu after defeating the pirates.
"I hear the crew on the ship overpowered the gunmen. The crew were 22 while the gunmen were eight," he said.