Chinese hostages taken by Somali pirates seem to be fine
- Source: Global Times
- [11:05 October 20 2009]
- Comments
Spokesman of the European Union (EU)naval force John Harbour confirmed on Monday that A Chinese ship with 146 people aboard was hijacked Monday in the Indian Ocean, included 25 Chinese crew members and they seem to be fine.
The bulk carrier De Xin Hai was hijacked around noon about 550 nautical miles northeast of the Seychelles and 700 nautical miles off Somalia's eastern coast, the EU Naval Force said in a statement.
Harbour said they send a helicopter to monitor the hijacked ship. It has taken photographs that "there were a number of other people seeing on the dock, and these were clearly the Chinese crew."
The naval force located the ship and has reported that there are four pirates visible and 2 small pirate skiffs being towed by the ship.
UK Maritime Trade Office are trying to get in touch with the pirates, to ascertain their intentions, he said.
The statement also said that the bulk carrier was not registered with the Maritime Security Center Horn of Africa.
DISCUSSION: What measures should be taken to combat Somalia's pirates?
