Copenhagen - A Danish navy vessel has rescued seven suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden, the Royal Danish Navy said Friday.

The seven were found Thursday in waters off Yemen on a vessel that had been drifting several days at sea.

Several weapons were seized and the seven were to be handed over to local authorities in Yemen, the statement said.

International maritime laws oblige vessels to assist other vessels in emergencies.

The Danish navy currently leads the Task Force 150 assigned to patrol international shipping lanes in the region.

The Danish navy vessel Absalon has been deployed in the waters off Somalia since early September. (dpa)