Somali pirates free cargo ship, 25 crew after 5 months in captivity after ransom drop

Somali pirates free ship, crew after 5 months

NAIROBI, Kenya — The European Union Naval Force says a cargo ship held for more than five months by Somali pirates has been freed after a ransom was paid.

The EU Naval Force in a statement said the British-flagged cargo ship Asian Glory was freed Friday along with 25 crew from Ukraine, Bulgaria, India and Romania. The Asian Glory was hijacked on Jan. 1.

Somali pirates have increased their attacks against ships off the coast of East Africa, but international navies have increased their patrols as well, helping to keep the number of successful hijackings roughly the same as last year despite the spike in attacks.