Somali pirates have released a Dutch ship they hijacked last month in the Gulf of Aden, the Dutch Defense Ministry was quoted as saying by Radio Netherlands on Tuesday.

Pirates took possession of the MV Marathon, sailing under the flag of the Dutch Antilles, on May 7. In a gunfight one crew member of the Dutch ship was killed and another was injured, the radio reported on Tuesday.

After the hijack, the ship was taken to Eyl in Puntland, northeast of Somalia.

Long drawn-out negotiations over its release have been held between the Somali pirates and the Dutch government. It is not known whether a ransom has been paid.

The Dutch frigate De Zeven Provincien, which is patrolling in the area, is helping the released Marathon crew. They are receiving medical treatment on board their own ship and have been given new supplies, said Radio Netherlands.

Source: Xinhua