Somali pirates have turned their guns on each other fighting over a hefty ransom payment they received in exchange of releasing a Spanish vessel and its crew.

The bandits let go of the fishing vessel, Alakrana, and its crew of 36 on Tuesday night after reportedly collecting a payment of USD 3.3 million.

The release ended six weeks of apprehensive expectation, though Madrid has denied having forked out any such sums with the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero only asserting that “the government did what it had to do.”

“I came here to get some money from my friend, who is receiving his share today,” The New York Times quoted one of the pirates as saying on Wednesday.

One side, however, was reportedly not pleased with his share and began firing shots at others, said a Press TV correspondent, quoting a source who commented on the armed scuffle on the condition of anonymity.

The resulting fire exchange injured at least two of the pirates before others ran away with the cash payoff to an undisclosed location.

The wounded bandits are said to have been admitted to a private hospital in the area.

HSH/HN/MB