French navy seizes mistaken Somali pirates

French navy seized five Somali pirates on Tuesday night who attacked a navy vessel, the defense ministry said on Wednesday.

French navy vessel La Somme, a 3800-ton refueling ship, was mistakenly attacked by two boats of pirates during its cruise on Indian Ocean but no one was injured.

After the pirates discovered what they were firing was no commercial ship but navy vessel, it was too late. La Somme chased after the pirates and seized five in custody, the military spokesman said.

Since the restless situation started in Somali in 1991, the coastal areas near the country were frequently infested by pirates.

France joined the European Union's anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden this year, along side navies of China, the United States and other countries.

Source: Xinhua