"A Malta-flagged tanker heading from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa, is targeted by suspected Somali pirates. Attackers firing machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades have boarded a ship off the coast of Somalia, United Kingdom officials say of the latest assault, likely by resurgent Somali pirates, in the region. The Master of a vessel has reported being approached by 1 small craft on its stern."
"The private security firm Ambrey also said an attack was under way, saying it targeted a Malta-flagged tanker heading from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa. Ambrey added that it appeared to be an assault by Somali pirates, who are reported to be operating in the area in recent days and who seized an Iranian fishing boat to use as a base of operations. Iran has not acknowledged the seizure of the fishing boat, called the Issamohamadi."
"Details of the vessel attacked on Thursday correspond to the Hellas Aphrodite, which changed its track and slowed down at the time of the attack. The ship's owners and managers could not immediately be reached for comment. Another maritime security firm, the Diaplous Group, said the attacked tanker had a crew of 24 mariners, all of whom reportedly locked themselves into the ship's citadel for safety during the attack."
A Malta-flagged tanker en route from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa, was targeted by suspected Somali pirates who fired machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades and boarded a ship off Somalia's coast. The vessel's master reported a small craft approached the stern and fired small arms and RPGs, prompting warnings for ships to transit with caution. Private security firm Ambrey linked the attack to Somali pirate activity in the area and to the seizure of the Iranian fishing boat Issamohamadi. The attacked ship appears to be the Hellas Aphrodite, which altered course and slowed. The 24 crew reportedly locked themselves into the ship's citadel; no armed security team was on board. Operation Atalanta has responded to recent attacks and issued alerts to shippers.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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