Somalia

Oil tanker attacked off Somali coast

Article published on the 2008-04-21 Latest update 2008-04-21 15:07 TU

Somalia

Heavily-armed pirates on five speed boats attacked an oil tanker off the coast of Somalia on Monday, according to the the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The pirates, believed to be Somali, attacked the ship under the cover of darkness in the Gulf of Aden, said Noel Choong, head of then IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

"A missile-like rocket was launched at the ship. Initial reports said the ship suffered some damage," said Choong. He added that the pirates shot at the large oil-tanker with machine guns, intending to board and possibly hijack it.

The tanker gained speed and managed to get away band all of the crew are safe, Choong said.

The IMB has sent out warnings that all ships going through the area should be on the lookout for small, suspicious boats coming towards them.

There have been nine attacks in the Gulf of Aden since February, according to Choong, and the area has been classified as one of the most dangerous waterways to travel through.

Pirates who seized a Spanish tuna fishing boat with 26 crew on Sunday are demanding a ransom to free them.