Paris - Pirates attacked two French fishing vessels Saturday in the Indian Ocean but were driven off as both ships had French soldiers on board, the radio station France Info reported.

The pirates fled in their three speedboats when the French soldiers fired at them, the captain of the tuna fishing vessel Drennec told the radio.

The thwarted attack took place some 350 kilometres north of the Seychelle Islands.

Since July 1, French forces have been on duty to protect all fishing vessels plying the waters off the coast of Somalia. (dpa)