Dutch ship and crew released by Somali pirates

A Dutch ship and its Ukrainian crew have been freed by Somali pirates nearly two months after the vessel was seized in the Gulf of Aden.

The Dutch government said one crew member had been shot dead by the pirates, and another had been wounded.

The freighter Marathon was escorted into international waters by the Dutch navy and its eight-strong crew were being taken home.

The Marathon was westbound through the Gulf when it was attacked by pirates on May 7. There have been 29 successful hijackings of ships off Somalia this year, at least some of which have ended with ransoms being paid.

It is not clear how or why this latest vessel was released. A spokesman for the Dutch Foreign Ministry said force was not used but could not comment on whether a ransom was paid.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Netherlands, Piracy, Transport