14 Aug 2009
Crewmembers from two pirate-held Egyptian vessels flee the Somali coast before killing and injuring a number of their captors.

On Friday, the men attacked the pirates killing at least two of them before setting sail for the Yemeni shoreline, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Initially the crewmembers unsuccessfully attempted to appease the bandits with half of the 4-million-dollar ransom the pirates had demanded. They, then, attacked them with their bare hands and blunt instruments within their reach.

The Egyptian crewmembers are said to be holding some pirates hostage.

The two cargo ships, which were carrying 40 passengers, were seized in the Gulf of Aden four months ago.

Patrolling coalition ships have recently managed to foil a number of pirate attacks and release some of the captured ships. The buccaneers, though, continue to plague the waters heavily frequented by commercial and passenger vessels.
presstv