Copenhagen - Dutch authorities on Tuesday took custody of five suspected pirates held since early January on a Danish navy vessel that averted an attempted piracy attack off the Somalian coast, a Danish navy spokesman said.

The handover took place in Bahrain. The five men were likely to be taken to the Netherlands to face possible charges, the spokesman said.

The Absalon has been deployed in the waters off Somalia since early September, patrolling international shipping lanes in the region.

Dan B Termansen, commanding officer on the Absalon, issued a statement saying the vessel was heading back for the Gulf of Aden to resume patrols.

The attempted piracy attack took place off the Somalian coast against a ship registered in the Netherlands Antilles.

A helicopter based on the Danish navy vessel fired warning shots at the pirate vessel. The freighter's crew also fired emergency flares at the pirates' vessel. Those caught fire, forcing the five suspected pirates to jump into the sea.

The crew of the Absalon then rescued the suspected pirates from the sea and later sank the burning vessel to prevent possible danger to other ships. (dpa)