Brussels: Pirates seized a Taiwanese
fishing boat with 14 crew from Vietnam, China, Indonesia and
Taiwan, in the most southerly and ambitious raid by Somali
pirates yet, European naval forces said on Friday.
The Feng Guo was attacked 250 nautical miles from
Antisiranana, Madagascar, EU-Navfor said in a statement.
"This is the most southerly vessel to be pirated
since" the joint EU military operation moved into the area.
Forces said the boat's owners had confirmed its
capture, and said alongside its Taiwanese skipper, there were
eight Vietnamese, three Chinese and two Indonesians among its
crew.
The latest capture means "Somali pirates are currently
holding 18 ships with 383 hostages," officials added.
PTI
First Published: Friday, October 08, 2010, 21:07