Hostage killed as French free boat from Pirates

The French navy stormed a French boat being held by pirates off the coast of Somalia and one hostage was killed in the operation, officials said today.

President Nicolas Sarkozy’s office said two pirates were also killed in the operation in the Gulf of Aden and three others taken prisoner.

The boat, the Tanit, was seized by pirates last Saturday with four adults and a child on board.

It was not immediately clear where the rescue operation took place but it did not appear to be anywhere near the current stand-off involving an American captain being held hostage.