Ransom Demands from Pirates - Updated - PLAYA DE BAKIO HOSTAGES RELEASED

APRIL 27 UPDATE - PLAYA DE BAKIO HOSTAGES RELEASED BY PIRATES.

SEE UPDATE ABOUT THE CREW AND PIRATES IN THE COMMENTS AREA AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE.

April 25 - Spain says it is pressing ahead with diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the 26 crew on the boat Playa de Bakio who were taken by pirates last weekend. The 250 foot (76 meter) boat Playa de Bakio, with its crew of 13 Spaniards and 13 Africans, was attack by the Somali pirates armed with grenade launchers while fishing for tuna in the waters off Somalia's wild coast.

Several crew members of the Playa de Bakio who have spoken to family members by telephone in the last few days have said that all of the hostages are well.

Angelines Mariño, wife of the Playa de Bakio's Captain, Amadeo Álvarez, told the press that her husband had told her by telephone that they are being treated very well, and they have been allowed ashore.

The pirates are believed to be seeking a ransom payment.

Asked about the state of talks with the captors of the boat, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa de la Vega declined to give details, stressing the need for discretion and asking that the media demonstrate "a sense of responsibility and willingness to co-operate."

"The government is permanently mobilized to resolve this situation, with the main priority being safeguarding of the safety of the 26 crew members of the trawler," said the Deputy Prime Minister at a news conference.

Madrid was "working on all fronts" and carrying out "intensive diplomatic and operational activities" to deal with the situation, said Vega. "I am hopeful of a quick and satisfactory resolution to the hijacking."

AFP has reported that Spain's ambassador to Kenya has held talks with officials in Mogadishu, including Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein, to try to secure the hostages release.

The Playa de Bakio "was sighted near Hobyo, central Mudug region, a day after the pirates were chased away from another town, Haradheere", according to reports by Reuters Africa.

"The Spanish ship is now at Qayrqabe (near Hobyo) ... It came here yesterday afternoon after it was chased from Haradheere," Aweys Ali Said, chairman of the Mudug region, told Reuters. "It is near us and it is visible from shore."

The chairman of the Mudug region told local leaders would not hesitate to use force if diplomacy failed to make the pirates steer clear. "Our elders will convince them to leave our area and if it becomes necessary our troops have the authority to fire and drive them away," he said.

According to Reuters, "authorities from the relatively calm northern Puntland region -- who sent gunmen on Tuesday to storm a Dubai-flagged ship, freeing its crew and arresting its pirates -- have also sent troops south to help secure the release of the boat."

Spain has dispatched the Mendez Nunez, a frigate, to the waters off Somalia. A Spanish air force reconnaissance plane has also been sent to Djibouti which neighbours Somalia.

• Read the previous article and updates: Spanish Boat Playa de Bakio Attacked by Pirates - Crew Held Hostage
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