Somalia: A Russian tanker seized by pirates
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MOMBASA (Kenya) - A Russian tanker of over 200 meters long bearing the flag of Liberia was captured Wednesday by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden and a Russian warship was launched to help, has said the of anti-piracy EU mission Atalanta.
- "Somali pirates have captured this (Wednesday) morning the MV Moscow University. The ship was attacked by a single boat," told reporters Swedish admiral jan Thornqvist, commander of the warship Admiral of Atalanta Carlskrona , which is currently calling at Mombasa (Kenya southeast).
- The vessel was captured at about 350 nautical miles east of Socotra Island, just off the Gulf of Aden, said Atalanta in a statement posted on its website.
- At the time of the attack, the tanker was en route east to a final destination China. The ship has 23 crew members, all of Russian nationality, and presumed safe, according to Atalanta.
- According to Admiral Thornqvist, the crew was locked in a secure room while the pirates have taken control of the ship.
- "A Russian warship is sent to help the tanker," said the statement of Atalanta, which "continues to monitor the situation."
- The MV Moscow University is about 230 meters long with a capacity of 106,474 tons. The pirates have expanded their range from a year of action, venturing further east in the Indian Ocean. They continue, however, at regular intervals, capture of ships in the Gulf of Aden.
- Ennaharonline/ M. O.
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