Русская версияThe official from the port town of Bosasso in the semi-autonomous
Puntland region told DPA news agency that the couple, identified
only as Juergen and Sabine, had arrived in the town and were
waiting to fly out.
Pirates abducted the couple from their yacht off the lawless Horn
of Africa nation's coast on June 23 and demanded a ransom of $2
million (1.33 million euros).
It was not clear if the full ransom had been paid to free the
hostages from the pirates' mountain stronghold, although initial
reports indicate that some money exchanged hands.
Germany's foreign ministry did not confirm the report.
"The crisis center is still intensively trying to return the two
hostages to safety," a spokesman said Saturday morning.
Piracy on the increase
The reported release comes after two Italian aid workers with
North-South Italian Cooperation CINS were freed earlier in the week
after being seized in May.
A ransom of $1 million was reportedly
paid to secure their release.
Piracy is rife off the coast of Somalia. Cargo ships and luxury
yachts have been targeted by heavily armed pirates, who often hold
the crews for ransom. The number of attacks has risen sharply this
year, and the United Nations Security Council approved incursions
into Somali waters to halt the trend.
Somalia's weak transitional government, currently engaged in
countering a bloody insurgency, is powerless to stop the pirates.
Somalia has been in a state of anarchy since the overthrow of
dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
(Deutsche Welle)
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