Somali pirates seize Iranian fishing boat: monitor

AFP, NAIROBI: Somali pirates have attacked two fishing boats, capturing one from Iran with 15 crew, an anti-piracy expert said Tuesday, adding that the vessel was now heading towards Somalia's coast.
"Two vessels were attacked," said John Steed from Oceans Beyond Piracy, which tracks ships that have been attacked and helps support hostages.
One, a Thai fishing vessel, managed to break free when pirates struck on Monday, although exact details of its escape remain unclear.
But the second boat with 15 crew members is now under the control of the pirates, apparently heading towards the pirate town of Hobyo, on Somalia's Indian Ocean coast.
"The Iranian vessels appears to have three pirates on board and is heading for Somali coast," Steed told AFP in Nairobi. Experts have warned that rampant illegal fishing by foreign trawlers off Somalia is threatening economic gains, and could push communities back to maritime crime.

 

Somali pirates seize Iranian fishing boat: monitor

AFP, NAIROBI: Somali pirates have attacked two fishing boats, capturing one from Iran with 15 crew, an anti-piracy expert said Tuesday, adding that the vessel was now heading towards Somalias coast. Two vessels were attacked, said John Steed from Oceans Beyond Piracy, which tracks ships that have been attacked and helps support hostages. One, a Thai fishing vessel, managed to break free when pirates struck on Monday, although exact details of its escape remain unclear. But the second boat with 15 crew members is now under the control of the pirates, apparently heading towards the pirate town of Hobyo, on Somalias Indian Ocean coast. The Iranian vessels appears to have three pirates on board and is heading for Somali coast, Steed told AFP in Nairobi. Experts have warned that rampant illegal fishing by foreign trawlers off Somalia is threatening economic gains, and could push communities back to maritime crime.