French navy frees hijacked yacht

At least one hostage and two pirates have been killed after French naval forces stormed a yacht seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia, officials say.Three other suspected pirates were detained in the military operation on Friday aimed at freeing five hostages on the Tanit, a statement from the office of Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, said."Today, threats were more precise, with the pirates refusing proposals and the Tanit moving toward the coast. An operation to free the hostages was decided," the statement said."During the operation, a hostage was unfortunately killed," the statement said.Two couples and a three-year-old child were aboard the yacht when it was seized on April 4 as it headed for the Kenyan coast.The statement said the four other hostages, including the child, were "safe and sound".