Beijing: China on Friday announced sending a
warship to help a Chinese cargo vessel attacked by pirates in
the Indian Ocean.
A warship will reach the site tomorrow morning to help
the Chinese ship attacked by pirates in the northern Indian
Ocean, the China Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (CMSRC)
said here.
Twenty-six Chinese crew aboard the Lecong, belonging to
COSCO Shipping Co Ltd, had fought off the pirates, said Zhai
Jiugang, Director of the CMSRC.
The centre, which received a call for help last night,
dispatched a warship from escort duty in the Gulf of Aden
yesterday and it was expected to meet Lecong tomorrow morning,
Zhai was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
One of the 26 crew members was injured in the fight, he
said.
The United Nations has warned that Somali pirates are
becoming more brazen though a fleet of international naval
force is seeking to curb frequent attacks.
The pirates have kidnapped almost 100 new crew and
passengers from ships in less than a month and there are now
at least 438 seafarers and 20 ships held by bandits, according
to the International Maritime Organisation.
PTI
