Chinese navy hands over suspected pirates to Somali authorities

A Chinese naval soldier waves to crowd from a vessel departing for the escort mission in waters off Somalia. [File Photo: Xinhua]

A Chinese naval vessel has handed over three suspected pirates to Somali authorities.

The pirates were involved in the attempted hijacking in April of a Tuvalu-flagged cargo ship that was rescued by the Chinese navy after the crew sent a distress call.

A local pirate leader is said to be among the transferred suspects.

Piracy has once-again started becoming an issue off the Horn of Africa over the past couple of months after a nearly 5-year lull.

The Chinese navy has been part of an international escort mission in the region since late 2008.