He said that at least two pirates died before the crew sailed towards waters patrolled by international navies.

The two fishing vessels were captured four months ago.

They were taken along with an Italian tug boat, which was recently freed after a ransom was paid.

Said Jama Hussein, a businessman in Las Qorey, said there were now no more vessels in the area.

Correspondents say police in the region are investigating.

Somalia has been without a functioning central government since 1991, allowing pirates to operate in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

Earlier in June the European Union, which co-operates with Nato in the region, agreed to extend its anti-piracy operation there until the end of 2010.

Two dozen ships from European Union nations, including Britain, France, Germany and Italy, patrol an area of about two million square miles.