Story highlights The crew of the Aris 13 has been released, four days after being captured by pirates off the coast of SomaliaIt is the first major hijacking by pirates in the area in five years. (CNN) Eight Sri Lankan crew members of a fuel tanker hijacked off the coast of Somalia earlier this week have been released unharmed without a ransom payment, according to the Sri Lankan government. It was the first major hijacking in the east African nation in almost five years, and had raised fears Somali pirates were back in action. The European Union Naval Force reported Wednesday that pirates had demanded an undisclosed ransom for the vessel's return. But Sri Lankan officials stated Thursday that the boat and its eight crew members had been released without condition or payment.

Source: CNN March 17, 2017 07:52 UTC