Italian navy frees Iranian trawler
Frigate forces Somali pirates to release boat and crew
18 March, 15:02
(ANSA) - Rome, March 18 - The Italian navy on Thursday freed
an Iranian trawler and crew held by Somali pirates since January
13.The frigate Scirocco forced the pirates to abandon the trawler, which the pirates had been using as a base to launch attacks, the Italian navy said.
All 19 of the crew of the Saad 1 were taken on board the Scirocco, where they phoned home to say they were safe.
The Saad 1 was then sent on its way.
The Scirocco is part of a NATO-led European Union mission against Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.
pic: file photo of Scirocco
