U.S. Captain Richard Phillips has been rescued. Updates below:

The captain of a US container ship taken hostage by Somali pirates has been released, the US Navy has said.

According to initial reports, three pirates were killed in the operation to free Captain Richard Phillips. Another is in custody.

Capt Phillips is said to be unhurt and on the USS Bainbridge, a warship sent to track the pirates holding him.

He was taken hostage last Wednesday after pirates briefly hijacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama.

Media reports say Capt Phillips’ family was informed of his release several hours ago.

Somali elders had been trying to resolve the standoff but most recent reports suggested the talks had stalled. SOURCE

Background:

The pirates tried to hijack the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama on Wednesday, but Phillips thwarted the takeover by telling his crew of about 20 to lock themselves in a room, the crew told stateside relatives.

The crew later overpowered some of the pirates, but Phillips, 53, surrendered himself to the bandits to safeguard his men, and four of the Somalis fled with him to an enclosed lifeboat, the relatives said.
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