Paris  - Six alleged members of the group of pirates who hijacked a luxury yacht and held its 30 crew members captive arrived in Paris early Wednesday, French media reported.

They were immediately jailed and held while French authorities investigate the April 4 hijacking of the yacht Le Ponant and the kidnapping for ransom of its crew, 22 of whom were French nationals.

The investigation was opened on charges of hijacking, kidnapping and detention for ransom.

If charged and tried, the six alleged pirates, identified as Somali fishermen, could face maximum sentences of life in prison.

The six suspects were captured by a small unit of an elite French force after a ransom of about 2 million dollars was delivered and the hostages freed. Part of the ransom was also recovered in the action.

According to the captain of Le Ponant, Patrick Marchesseau, the kidnappers numbered between 20 and 30 men. dpa