A French woman, captured by suspected Somali pirates, has been released from captivity but her spouse was killed during a sea hijack incident, an anti-piracy task force said Tuesday. The European Naval Taskforce (EUNAVFOR), guarding the Indian Ocean coastline against pirates, said the rescued French national was transferred to a French warship involved in the rescue operation, FS Surcouf, for repatriation to France.

Seven suspected pirates, some of them wounded, were transferred to a Spanish warship, Galicia, where they received treatment for the wounds sustained during the rescue operation before being handed over to the French warship, Surcouf.

“Investigations continue to determine the details of the incident, so that criminal investigations can be pursued,” EUNAVFOR said in a statement.

The French woman, identified as Mrs. Colombo, was unharmed during the operation, which led to her freedom.

She was located during a search around the Gulf of Aden by US patrol aircraft and EUNAVFOR helicopters.

Rescued Colombo is believed to be the crew member of a French sailing boat initially thought to have been killed.

Earlier, a female hostage from the French sailing yacht, SY Tribal Kat, was rescued after a high-security naval operation.

The yacht is being sailed to the nearest port by the European anti-piracy task force.

EUNAVFOR said they confirmed Mr. Colombo was killed on 8 September, when the Somali pirates initially attacked the sailing yacht.

The French yacht sent distress signals on 8 September, which was picked by the German warship, Bayern.

Naval commanders deployed Spanish warship Galicia, supported by a French frigate, Surcouf, which later opened fire on a suspected pirate skiff after it ignored orders to stop.

The naval officers from the counter-piracy force shot and disabled the engine.

Spanish warship, ESP Santa Galicia, Bayern rescued the French yacht from the pirate captivity. The pirate skiff sank after the rescue of the hostage.

“At that time and following an inspection of the yacht, the crew could not be found. The EU NAVFOR warship, SPS Galicia, with the support from FS Surcouf, located and trailed the skiff. SPS Galicia forced the skiff to stop. One crew member was released to safely and all of the suspected criminals were detained,” the task force said.

The incident came days after the Somali pirates freed another couple, Paul and Rachel Chandler, after nearly a year in captivity.

Pana 14/09/2011