Somali pirates release Greek ship

Nairobi, Dec 13 (Xinhua) Somali pirates Saturday freed a Greek chemical tanker hijacked Oct 10 in the Gulf of Aden with a crew of 20, a regional maritime official confirmed Saturday.

Andrew Mwangura, East Africa's coordinator of the Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP) said the MV Action was currently sailing in safe waters. It was feared that three members of its crew were dead.

'MV Action was released by pirates. She is currently limping to safe waters. It is feared that three crew members lost their lives under questionable circumstances,' Mwangura told Xinhua over the telephone.

Mwangura did not say whether the owners of the Panama-flagged ship paid a ransom for the release of the vessel and how the three members of the crew died.

Somali pirates have hijacked some 40 ships this year and currently hold about 15 vessels and their teams of crew.

UN diplomats said the United States has circulated a draft Security Council resolution proposing that all nations and regional groups chasing pirates off the Somali coast be allowed to follow them on land and in the air.