An Italian tugboat and its crew of 16, which was seized by pirates off the Gulf of Aden in April, have been released.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said on Sunday he had been given the news by the Somali prime minister. He said the ship's release was the result of "exceptional work" on the part of Somali authorities and the Italian intelligence service.
The Italian-flagged Buccaneer was hijacked on 11 April and taken to a fishing village in northern Somalia.
Micoperi Marine Contractors of Ravenna said the ship is now on its way to the port of Djibouti, escorted by naval vessels. The company said no ransom was paid.
