Pirates from Somalia release Greek freighter
Somali pirates have released a Greek freighter, the MV Capt Stephanos, which they hijacked in September, a regional maritime organization said on yesterday. The Stephanos was seized on September 21 by gunmen from the Horn of Africa nation. It was flying the Bahamas flag, carrying coal and had 17 Filipinos, one Chinese and a Ukrainian on board. «The crew members’ state of health is estimated as satisfactory,» the East African Seafarers’ Assistance Program said, adding that the ship was heading to Italy. There have been nearly 100 attacks in Somali waters this year, despite the presence of several foreign warships. The European Union agreed on Monday to launch an anti-piracy naval operation off Somalia involving warships and aircraft from several nations. The first operation will initially involve three warships, from Greece, Britain and France. (Reuters)
