British special forces storm hijacked ship off Somalia-Italy defence ministry

[Bosonic]

Source: Reuters

ROME, Oct 11 (Reuters) - British special forces on Tuesday stormed an Italian cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates in an operation to free the crew, an Italian defence ministry spokesman said.

The 56,000-ton bulk carrier Montecristo was hijacked 620 miles off Somalia on Monday by five pirates in a small boat, according to the owners. It was carrying a 23-man crew from Italy, India and the Ukraine.

Italy's ANSA newagency said the rescue operation, which was in progress, was agreed between British Defence Minister Liam Fox and his Italian counterpart Ignazio La Russa

Read more: http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/british-special-forces-storm-hijacked-ship-off-somalia-italy-defence-ministry

[formercia]

1. Russians use Somali Pirates for Target Practice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDmdtcyDVlg

[AzNick]

2. The pirates had been arrested, no one died n/t

[dipsydoodle]

3. UK special forces 'storm pirate-held ship Montecristo'

Source: BBC News

British special forces have stormed an Italian ship hijacked by Somali pirates, according to an Italian defence ministry spokesman.

The 56,000-ton bulk carrier Montecristo was hijacked 620 miles off Somalia on Monday by five pirates in a small boat, according to the owners.

All of the 23-man crew from Italy, India and the Ukraine have been freed.

The Italian defence minister said the crew aboard the D'Alessio Group-owned cargo ship were doing well.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15261734

[formercia]

4. The Russian method:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDmdtcyDVlg

[Renew Deal]

5. Looks like the russians used them for target practice.

[formercia]

7. Exactly

No prisoners.

[octothorpe]

9. I don't think the pirates were still on the ship when they fired on it...

You can search youtube and find similar videos of other navies blowing up the "motherships" after they arrest the crew or send them on their way in smaller boat.

[Posteritatis]

10. That was .... thorough. (nt)

[slackmaster]

6. Mmmmmmmmmmm. Monte Cristo.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/R3RlsGt2QpI/AAAAAAAAAi8/KkF1WY6MbXI/s800/Monte+Cristo+Sandwich.jpg

[tawadi]

8. I guess the pirates didn't have complete control of the ship

"Crew members were able to lock themselves in a strong room from where they could control the engine and steer."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15261734