Somali pirates demand too high ransom

BARGAL, Somalia, June 4 (UPI) -- Somali pirates are asking more ransom money for the crew of a Dutch-owned vessel than the ship owner will pay.

A mediator says the crew of the freighter -- four Russian officers and five Filipino sailors -- are in good health. But negotiations have broken down over ransom price with the pirates demanding 700,000 euros ($1.087 million) and the Dutch company Reider Shipping refusing to pay more than 450,000 euros ($698,796), Radio Netherlands reported Wednesday.

The Amiya Scan is currently at anchor off the port of Bargal in northern Somalia after being hijacked by the pirates Sunday.

The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution on piracy Monday, authorizing international action against pirates in Somali waters.