Danish forces storm pirate ship

DANISH special forces yesterday stormed a ship captured by armed Somali pirates and freed the 25 crew on board, an EU naval spokesman said, marking the first time a warship has intervened during a hijacking.

After the vessel Ariella sent out a distress signal early yesterday, the Danish warship Absalon sent a helicopter to confirm the presence of pirates, and communicated with the crew to ensure they were in a safe location, a spokesman for the EU Naval Force said.

Then Danish special forces aboard the Absalon approached the Ariella in dinghies. They scaled the side of the ship and freed the 25 crew, who had locked themselves in a secure room, the spokesman said. The forces continued to search the vessel for the pirates.