Four Americans who were in the middle of enjoying a round-the-world sailing trip were captured by pirates on Friday off the coast of Oman. It is understood that US naval troops were attempting a negotiation with the captors over the weekend before a fire-fight erupted today.

The Somalian pirates made the first attack, firing a rocket prepared grenade at the leading naval ship in persuit. Reports suggest some of the nineteen pirates on board appeared on deck shortly after the grenade was fired (which subsequently missed) and made motions to surrender, but gunfire from the ship followed. Around this time, the two couples on board were shot – although some of the victims were still alive by the time US troops got to them, they died of their injuries a short time afterwards.

The pirate ship was making its way to Somalia as it was tracked by a number of US vessels. Four pirates were killed in the standoff, while fifteen were taken captive by American forces. Prior to the rescue attempt, two pirates from the ship met with the US navy to negotiate terms but did not return to their ship. It is unclear whether they were detained or if this was a voluntary action on their part.

U.S. officials have said recently that as the U.S.-led effort to guard ships against Somali attacks had begun reducing attacks near the Somali coast, the pirates have extended their operations hundreds of miles out into the Indian Ocean to elude multinational naval forces, which includes dozens of vessels from two dozen countries.

Reported by Zeke Lyons.

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