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Somali pirates release Belgian vessel

Herman Van Rompuy - Confirmed release of vessels and it's crew
Herman Van Rompuy - Confirmed release of vessels and it's crew

Somali pirates released a Belgian ship, the Pompei, and its European and Filipino crew two months after their capture.

'The government was informed of the release of the Pompei ship and its crew,' Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy said in a statement.

He added: 'We were also informed that the entire crew is in good health.

'Our thoughts are with the Belgian, Dutch, Croat and Filipino families of the crew who had to endure difficult moments since April 18.'

No detail was given on the circumstances of the ship's release.

The crew included a Dutch captain, two Belgians, three Filipinos and four Croats.

The Pompei was hijacked on 18 April around 90 miles north of the Seychelles.

At the time of its capture the ship, which specialises in the transportation and laying of rocks, was on its way to South Africa from Dubai, where it had taken part in the construction of artificial islands.