EU: Somali Pirates Hijack Ship Near Madagascar
The EU anti-piracy task force said Thursday the vessel was attacked late last week, about 222 kilometers off the northeastern tip of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.
An EU statement said authorities have since had no contact with the vessel and its crew of 26.
Naval forces from the European Union, NATO and several countries are patrolling waters near Somalia to combat piracy. Despite the patrols, Somali pirates have hijacked dozens of ships in recent years, taking in tens of millions of dollars in ransom.
The European Union says the pirates are now holding 26 vessels and 613 hostages.
Somalia has been plagued by factional fighting and has lacked a strong central government for nearly 20 years.
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