Somali coast full-risk of piracy

Fishermen freed from Somali pirates

The crew of a Spanish fishing boat seized by pirates off Somalia have reportedly been freed. Boats sailing off the Somali coast are often at risk of piracy.

Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, Spain's deputy prime minister, told a news conference on Saturday that the 26 crew members are "in perfect health".

She said the crew members of the Playa de Bakio, a 76m vessel from Spain's Basque region, are sailing back home.

The trawler had been taken to "safer waters", escorted by a Spanish warship. Government 'negotiations' De la Vega says the release was achieved through "negotiation". Madrid has promised to take steps to reduce piracy off the Somali coast.

The government is also making plans to repatriate the 13 Spaniards and 13 Africans, who were seized on April 20 by pirates armed with grenade launchers off Somalia.

www.TurkishMaritime.Com.tr