Private guards kill pirate during attack

A spokesman for the EU Naval Force said private security guards shot and killed a Somali pirate during an attack on a ship off the coast of East Africa in what is believed to be the first such killing by armed contractors.

The death comes amid fears increasingly aggressive pirates and the growing use of armed private security contractors onboard vessels could fuel increased violence on the high seas. The handling of the case may have legal implications beyond the individuals. Commander John Harbour said the guards were onboard the MV Almezaan when a pirate group approached it twice.

During the second approach on the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship, which is UAE owned, there was an exchange of fire with the pirates.