News / Africa

Six Dead In Somali Pirate Fights Over Ransom

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At least six people have been killed in fighting among Somali pirates over a record ransom paid for a hijacked ship.

Witnesses say at least four people were killed and several others were wounded Monday as pirates battled in the town of Harardhere.

In addition, two pirates were killed Sunday when rival pirate gangs clashed on the hijacked ship, the MV Maran Centaurus.

Harardhere was calm Tuesday after local elders mediated between factions of pirates.

The pirates received between $5 and $7 million to free the Greek-flagged oil tanker and its 28 crew members on Monday.

Pirates had captured the tanker in the Indian Ocean November 29 with two million barrels of oil on board.

Squabbling over ransom money is not unusual, but witnesses say Monday night's clashes among the pirates were some of the most violent on record.

Somali pirates have taken in tens of millions of dollars over the past two years from hijacking ships and holding them hostage.

The pirates are still holding 12 ships with more than 200 crew members. 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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