Somali Pirates hijack ship

Location - Yemen
Crew - 24

The EU Naval Force says pirates have hijacked a cargo vessel off the coast of Yemen.

Spokesman Cmdr. John Harbour says the Monday attack took place 10 miles from Yemen against the Panama-flagged Iceberg I.

Harbour says the pirates then sailed the ship across the Gulf of Aden toward Somalia.

Harbour says the last communication from the vessel was a mayday call from the captain saying pirates were boarding the vessel. The 24 crew came from Yemen, India, Ghana, Sudan, Pakistan and the Philippines.

MRI Comment - This is an audacious attack from Pirates so close to the Yemeni mainland. MRI currently have representatives in Yemen fostering relationships with the Yemeni Coastguard.