Kasargod : Vasanth Kumar (30) of Melparamba and Babu (34) of Palakunnu who were held hostage by pirates who seized the MV Cotton ship for which they were working, have been set free along with other crew on board the ship.

The families of the two in Kasargod received information from V Ships of Mumbai, the crew manager that all of them have been released and are safe.

The 24 member crew had been held hostage since July 15 by pirates off the West African coast of Gabon, possibly for the oil in the vessel.

The families of Vasanth Kumar and Babu are a relieved lot following the information.