US Navy rescues captain, kills three pirates

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MOGADISHU, April 13 (Reuters): US Navy special forces freed an American ship's captain and killed three Somali pirates holding him hostage in a lifeboat, ending a five-day standoff but drawing vows of revenge from pirates.
Richard Phillips was just one of more than 250 hostages of many nationalities being held by pirates who have seized dozens of vessels, from oil tankers to luxury yachts, in recent months.
Helicopters once again flew over pirate bases near Eyl on the Somali coast overnight after his rescue.
The US Navy said Phillips' life was in danger when snipers aboard a US destroyer shot his captors Sunday, freeing him unharmed and killing three of four pirates who had taken him after trying to seize his vessel. The fourth was in custody.
Phillips, captain of the US-flagged Maersk Alabama container ship, contacted his family after the rescue, received a routine medical evaluation, and was resting comfortably aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer.