The vessel was hijacked in late November and brought to Xaafuun district within the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, the place it’s being held together with the captives.
The pirates who hijacked a Chinese language-owned fishing vessel with 18 crew off the northeastern coast of Somalia final month are demanding $10 million in ransom, in keeping with a Somali official.
A Somali authorities official mentioned the vessel was issued with a fishing license by Puntland in 2020, however the license had expired. (File) (Pic used for illustration)(AFP)
The hijackers additionally shared pictures on social media of their captives surrounded by armed males on the ship’s deck.
The vessel was hijacked in late November and brought to Xaafuun district within the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, the place it’s being held together with the captives. The ship’s safety guards later joined forces with the armed males from the coastal area.
A Somali authorities official mentioned the vessel was issued with a fishing license by Puntland in 2020, however the license had expired.
The official spoke on Sunday on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not approved to debate the matter. He didn’t elaborate on the ransom demand.
The European Union’s anti-piracy naval drive, Eunavfor Atalanta, final week categorized the incident as “theft at sea”.
The hijacking underscores the persistent challenges of maritime safety in Somalia’s waters. Somalia has for years been blighted by piracy, which peaked in 2011, when the United Nations says greater than 160 assaults have been recorded off the Somali coast.
Incidents have declined drastically since then, nevertheless, largely as a result of presence of American and allied navies in worldwide waters.
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Information / World Information / Pirates maintain 18 hostages, demand $10 million ransom for hijacked Chinese language fishing vessel in Somalia
