British and US Naval forces rescue hijacked ship

British and US naval forces have rescued 23 hostages from an Italian ship hijacked by Somali pirates.

The 56,000-tonne bulk carrier Montecristo was hijacked 620 miles (1,000km) off Somalia on Monday, according to the owners.

The Ministry of Defence said the pirates gave themselves up as a vessel from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and a US frigate approached.

Karen Jacques from Dryad, Maritime Intelligence Services said "the piracy season has only just begun" and further attacks could occur.

Caroline Wyatt reports.

This report contains footage from the German navy

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