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Somali pirates 'kidnap tourists' Somali pirates seize French boat
(about 2 hours later)
A vessel carrying an unspecified number of French tourists has been hijacked off the Somali coast, officials say. Two French citizens and their sailing boat have been seized by pirates off the Somali coast, French officials say.
The BBC's Ahmed Ali says a delegation of officials from the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland has gone to Eyl port to investigate the report. The BBC's Ahmed Ali says a delegation of officials from the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland has gone to Eyl port to investigate.
In April, French commandos made six arrests in a helicopter raid against pirates after they freed a French yacht's crew.In April, French commandos made six arrests in a helicopter raid against pirates after they freed a French yacht's crew.
The seas off Somalia have some of the highest rates of piracy in the world.The seas off Somalia have some of the highest rates of piracy in the world.
The country has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered from continual civil strife.The country has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered from continual civil strife.
Sources close to the pirates have confirmed the hijacking to the BBC Somali service. Sources close to the pirates had earlier reported the hijacking to the BBC Somali service.
"It is from France but we don't know whether it is a yacht or cruise ship," Andrew Mwangura, head of the East Africa Seafarers' Assistance Programme, told Reuters news agency. It is not clear if there were any other people on board the sailing boat.
"We don't have details but it seems there are some tourists on board." A French foreign ministry statement said "discretion" was needed in such cases.
In the capital, Mogadishu, heavy fighting erupted on Wednesday morning with insurgents trading fire with government troops, supported by Ethiopian forces, around the presidential palace.In the capital, Mogadishu, heavy fighting erupted on Wednesday morning with insurgents trading fire with government troops, supported by Ethiopian forces, around the presidential palace.
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the city said residents were trying to take shelter in their homes while heavy artillery shells exploded around them.The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the city said residents were trying to take shelter in their homes while heavy artillery shells exploded around them.
French commandos arrested six alleged pirates in AprilFrench commandos arrested six alleged pirates in April
Four civilians are reported to have died in the fighting and eight others were injured.Four civilians are reported to have died in the fighting and eight others were injured.
Islamist militia threatened to increase their attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began this week. Islamist militia have threatened to increase their attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began this week.
About 2,200 of a planned 8,000-strong African Union peacekeeping force have been sent to Mogadishu since Ethiopia helped oust Islamists in 2006.About 2,200 of a planned 8,000-strong African Union peacekeeping force have been sent to Mogadishu since Ethiopia helped oust Islamists in 2006.
Along the coast, attacks against fishing boats, cargo ships and yachts have surged over recent months and foreigners, who can be exchanged for large ransoms, are frequent targets.Along the coast, attacks against fishing boats, cargo ships and yachts have surged over recent months and foreigners, who can be exchanged for large ransoms, are frequent targets.
In June, the UN Security Council voted to allow countries to send warships into Somalia's waters to tackle the pirates.In June, the UN Security Council voted to allow countries to send warships into Somalia's waters to tackle the pirates.
France has troops in nearby Djibouti and also participates in a multi-national naval force that patrols this part of the Indian Ocean.France has troops in nearby Djibouti and also participates in a multi-national naval force that patrols this part of the Indian Ocean.
The six pirates seized by the French military in April were handed over to French justice officials to be tried.The six pirates seized by the French military in April were handed over to French justice officials to be tried.