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Greek ship attacked off Somalia Greek ship hijacked off Somalia
(about 1 hour later)
A Greek-owned ship has been attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia. A Greek-owned ship, reportedly taking a cargo of salt to Kenya, has been seized by pirates off Somalia's south coast.
The fate of the crew members - who are said to be of Filipino origin - is not known. The fate of the 25 crew - said to be of Filipino origin - is not known. Reports say the ship may now be heading for the port of Eyl in Somalia's Puntland area.
According to an official at the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), the ship was hijacked by armed pirates on its way to Kenya. A watchdog said the raid showed pirates were expanding their zone of operations southwards from the Gulf of Aden.
Pirates operating out of war-torn Somalia regularly attack vessels using the major commercial shipping routes off the country's waters. Pirates based in war-torn Somalia regularly attack vessels using major commercial shipping routes nearby.
The threat of hijack and robbery has hampered the delivery of much-needed aid to people affected by the conflict.The threat of hijack and robbery has hampered the delivery of much-needed aid to people affected by the conflict.
The Greek vessel is the 13th ship seized by pirates off Somali waters in the last two months, Noel Choong of the IMB told the Associated Press news agency. The Greek vessel, known as the Centauri, is thought to have been attacked late on Wednesday or early on Thursday.
He said this latest attack indicated that Somali pirates had expanded their area of operations southwards from the Gulf of Aden, targeting vessels off the coast of Mogadishu. "The ship was expected to call at Mombasa on September 19 and discharge 17,000 tonnes of bulk salt," Andrew Mwangura of the Kenya-based East African Seafarers' Association told the Reuters news agency.
A multinational naval force patrolling the area had been informed of the attack, Mr Choong said. "It was taken in southern Somalia, which is unusual for the pirates. They could be taking it to Eyl," he added.
Earlier this week, French commandos rescued two sailors who were being held for ransom by pirates believed to be based in the port of Eyl in Somalia's Puntland region. Several vessels are being held for ransom at Eyl. Earlier this week, French commandos rescued two sailors amid fears they were being led to a pirate stronghold at the port.
Continual strife
The Greek ship was the 13th to be seized off Somali waters in the last two months, the head of the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre, Noel Choong, told the Associated Press.
Mr Choong said this latest attack indicated that Somali pirates had expanded their area of operations southwards from the Gulf of Aden, targeting vessels off the coast of the capital, Mogadishu.
A multinational naval force patrolling the area had been informed of the attack, he added.
Somalia has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered from continual civil strife.Somalia has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered from continual civil strife.
Battles between Islamist insurgents and Ethiopian-backed government soldiers have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes in the last 18 months.Battles between Islamist insurgents and Ethiopian-backed government soldiers have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes in the last 18 months.