3 months ago
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Spain's Defense Ministry says pirates attacked a Spanish fishing vessel in the Indian Ocean but private security guards on the boat shot back and repelled the assailants. The ministry says the Spanish ship Ortube Berria was attacked Sunday when it was 230 nautical miles southwest of the Seychelles Islands. A ministry statement says pirates on two skiffs opened fire with small arms and a rocket-propelled grenade. After a 30-minute chase, security guards on the Spanish vessel shot back and fended off the pirates. The statement said no crew members were hurt. On Nov. 17 the Spanish tuna trawler Alakrana and its crew of 36 were was released by pirates who had held it for 47 days. A ransom of $3.3 million was allegedly paid to the pirates.
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