Somali pirates seize Indian ship, 11 crewmembers

International Desk: Somali pirates have seized an Indian cargo ship and 11 crew members, the ship’s owner said Monday, as a recent series of hijackings raises fears of a resurgence in piracy.

The ‘Al Kausar’ is the third vessel to be hijacked in less than a month off the coast of Somalia as experts warn that ships have lowered their guard in the five years since the height of the piracy crisis.

The Indian cargo ship was carrying items such as wheat and sugar from Dubai via Yemen to Somalia’s Bossaso port when it came under attack, owner Isaak Them told AFP.

‘The vessel was hijacked on Friday (March 31) from mid-sea. One of the crew members called me on Saturday evening and informed me about the hijacking,’ said Them.

‘We have asked those who loaded their goods in the vessel in Dubai to make efforts to salvage our crew and the vessel.’

The president of the Kutch Seafarers Association, Adam Them, from the western state of Gujarat where the vessel originated, told AFP that the pirates had already made ransom demands.

‘We got a call from one of the crew members today that the pirates have demanded money from the owners of the goods in the vessel,’ he said.

‘Negotiations are on. The crew member further informed that five gunmen were onboard the vessel ... However, nobody has been hurt.’

Mohamed Samater, a security official from Puntland on the northeastern tip of Somalia, confirmed that a ship had been hijacked, but did not have further details.

Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Apr 3, 2017/Nasim