US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Suspected pirates seize vessel carrying cement off Somalia, the second hijacking incident in days
UKMTO raised the threat level to substantial after at least four vessels were targeted in suspected piracy incidents in a week, officials said.
- On Sunday, armed pirates hijacked the St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged cargo vessel Sward six nautical miles off Garacad, Somalia, with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirming the ship is under pirate control.
- Following the hijacking, the UKMTO raised the regional threat level to "substantial," warning that weather conditions remain conducive to small boat operations in the Indian Ocean.
- The vessel departed from Egypt heading to Mombasa, Kenya, carrying a 15-person crew comprising two Indian nationals and 13 Syrians, according to Vanguard; nine pirates boarded and took control.
- Officials are monitoring the situation as the Puntland Maritime Police Force has been notified and the vessel proceeds toward the Somali coastline, though no details regarding crew safety have been released.
- At least four vessels have been targeted in suspected piracy incidents in the last week; the World Bank estimates pirates off the Horn of Africa earned between $339m and $413m in ransoms between 2005 and 2012.
Insights by Ground AI
37 Articles
37 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources37
Leaning Left5Leaning Right5Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 25%
C 50%
R 25%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
