Hostage captain rescued, 3 pirates killed.

U.S. forces killed three pirates Sunday and rescued cargo ship Capt. Richard Phillips, held hostage in a lifeboat since Wednesday, after seeing him in "imminent danger," a senior defense official told CNN.

The official contradicted earlier reports that the captain jumped into the water off Somalia on Sunday.

Three of the pirates on the lifeboat with Phillips were shot and killed, the official said. A fourth pirate was aboard the nearby USS Bainbridge negotiating Phillips' fate when the shootings occurred, he said.

Phillips was uninjured and in good condition after his rescue at 7:19 p.m. (12:19 p.m. ET), according to a senior U.S. official.

Phillips has contacted his family and received a routine medical exam, the U.S. Navy Central Command said in a statement.

Alison McCall, a spokeswoman for Maersk, owner of the Alabama, read a statement from Phillips' family to reporters:

"The Phillips family wants to thank you all for your support and prayers. They have felt the caring and concern extended by the nation," McCall said. "This is truly a very happy Easter for the Phillips family." The 4th pirate is just 16 years old!!

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