MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali pirates released the German-flagged container vessel Hansa Stavanger on Monday after receiving a ransom, pirates and a maritime official said.
"We are now in Haradheere town. We left the ship after we took the money," pirate Hassan told Reuters by telephone. "I believe it has sailed away."
The pirates said earlier on Monday they had received a $2.7 million (1.6 million pound) ransom for the vessel, seized with 24 crew in April.
Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarer's Association confirmed the release of the ship and its crew: "That's what we heard ... (the ship) is heading north."
(Reporting by Abdi Sheikh and Abdi Guled; Editing by David Clarke)
