Somali pirates have released a Spanish fishing boat and its crew after holding it for six weeks, Spain's prime minister has confirmed, BBC reported.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the pirates had abandoned the Alakrana tuna boat and that all 36 crew on board were "safe and sound".
The pirates earlier told reporters they were leaving the ship after being promised a ransom of $3.5m (£2.1m).
There was no immediate government confirmation of money having been paid.
The case took on greater urgency after the Spanish navy captured two pirates and took them to Spain to face trial - prompting threats from the remaining pirates to kill the Alakrana's crew.
Addressing a news conference in Madrid, a smiling Mr Zapatero said that he had "very good news" for the entire country.
Zapatero: All crew members are safe
"I can confirm that the Alakrana fishing trawler is sailing freely towards safer waters and that all of its crew members are safe and sound," he said.
The Spanish prime minister did not comment on the reported ransom, saying only that the "government did what it had to do".
By late on Tuesday, the Alakrana had made its way to the open sea accompanied by two Spanish warships, the EU naval force, Navfor, said in a statement.
Argi Galbarriatu, the sister of the vessel's second-in-command, said she had spoken to her brother after the boat's release.
"He told me the word to describe it is that they are relieved, and eager to get to port and come home," she said.
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