Somalia pirates release 12 hostages

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Twelve South Pacific islanders taken hostage by Somalia pirates earlier this year have been released after a ransom reportedly was paid, authorities said.

The men, 11 of them from the tiny South Pacific nation of Tuvalu and one from Fiji, were taken captive off the Horn of Africa in early April when pirates stormed their ship, Hansa Stavangerheir.

The pirates reportedly demanded a $15 million ransom, the Shabelle Media Network said. Owners of the German ship were said to have paid $2.5 million, but there was no confirmation