Nato forces have freed an Italian cargo ship attacked by pirates off Somalia.
The 56,000-ton bulk carrier Montecristo was hijacked 1,000km off Somalia on yesterday by five pirates in a small boat, according to the owners.
It was carrying a crew of 23 - seven Italians, six Ukrainians and 10 Indians.
Italy's ANSA news agency said the rescue operation was agreed between British defence minister Liam Fox and his Italian counterpart Ignazio La Russa.
The operation was carried out by a British and a US ship which were part of Nato's Ocean Shield anti-piracy force. The 11 pirates on board were arrested after they surrendered, the ministry said.
Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Royal Navy "was involved in a compliant boarding" - in which the pirates indicated they would surrender and sailors boarded the vessel to take them into custody.
"The danger of piracy has increased," said Mr La Russa.
Pirates flourish off largely lawless Somalia by attacking passing ships, taking hostages and demanding ransoms to free them and the vessels.
