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Argi Galbarriatu, sister of the skipper, and Olga Torre, the engineer''s wife, said during a press conference that they still don''t believe it, and that the crew "are relieved and wishing that they get into port soon."

"I spoke to my brother an hour ago. They''re still not very excited because it''s taken them by surprise," Galbarriatu told journalists.

They said the families thanked the "work made by everyone and the support of the citizenship, the town halls, and media. This hell has finished."

According to Galbarriartu, they knew the news thanks to media and received official confirmation just before the appearance of Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Concerning political assessments, they said that tomorrow will be the moment for taking stock of the hijacking.

The families also said they will not make a special greeting to the crew. After the hearing, a banner supporting the sailors was withdrawn from the facade of the town hall.

Basque government''s statement

Basque government''s Fishing councillor, Pilar Unzalu, pointed out that "it is necessary to keep on supporting the seamen" and applauded the "courage of the crew and their relatives."

The councillor appeared on behalf of Basque PM Patxi Lopez, who is ill, to "thank the assistance of the central government and other institutions that have contributed" to the Alakrana''s release.