At least six people have been killed in intense battles between Somali pirates in the wake of a record ransom paid for the release of a Greek oil tanker, AFP reports.
The ransom for the ship Maran Centaurus was believed to be between $5.5 million and $7 million, officials said. Since then, locals report, life in the remote pirate enclaves has come to a standstill as the rogues fight over their booty.
“I think there will not be trust between them any more since they killed each other,” said Hasan Nile, a grocer in the Somali town of Harardhere.
“Three pirates have died already since yesterday and if there’s no swift mediation, more will die, including civilians.”
