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Somali pirates hijack Danish ship Somali pirates hijack Danish ship
(about 2 hours later)
Somali pirates have hijacked a Danish-owned container ship with a 21-strong American crew on board, officials say. Somali pirates have hijacked a ship with a 21-strong US crew, after what maritime officials described as a sustained night-time attack.
The US-operated 17,000 tonne vessel, named as Maersk Alabama, was seized in the Indian Ocean about 400 miles (645 km) east of the capital, Mogadishu. The US-operated container vessel, named as Maersk Alabama, was seized in the Indian Ocean about 400 miles (645km) east of the capital, Mogadishu.
The crew members are believed to be safe, the European Union's maritime security force said. The Danish-owned ship's crew members are believed to be safe, the European Union's maritime security force said.
It is the sixth seizure by pirates in recent days, including a British ship and Taiwanese ship taken this week. It is the sixth seizure in recent days, including a British and Taiwanese ship.
The AP Moller-Maersk Group confirmed its ship had been "attacked by pirates and presumed hijacked" at around 0600 BST on Wednesday.
The Danish shipping line said the 17,000-tonne vessel had been en route to the Kenyan port of Mombasa.
Evasive action
BBC world affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge says the Maersk Alabama came under a sustained attack from pirates.
Now the weather has improved, they're back in business again ICG's Rashid Abdi The lure of easy money Why are pirates getting away?
The offensive began late at night and apparently lasted for some five hours, according to maritime officials.
The assault is thought to have involved up to three pirate skiffs at any one time.
Maritime officials say the ship took all possible evasive action before it reported that the pirates had boarded.
Our correspondent says it would appear to be the first time a vessel with an all-American crew has been seized by the Somali pirates.
Before Wednesday's attack, pirates had boarded a British-owned ship, the Malaspina Castle, in an area heavily patrolled by a European Union taskforce.Before Wednesday's attack, pirates had boarded a British-owned ship, the Malaspina Castle, in an area heavily patrolled by a European Union taskforce.
The taskforce, consisting of six ships and two planes, is among almost a dozen anti-piracy patrols in the area.The taskforce, consisting of six ships and two planes, is among almost a dozen anti-piracy patrols in the area.
But pirates managed to seize 15 ships last month - a large increase on the two taken in January and February.But pirates managed to seize 15 ships last month - a large increase on the two taken in January and February.
One expert believes the weather had a bigger impact on pirates than the patrols.One expert believes the weather had a bigger impact on pirates than the patrols.
Rashid Abdi of the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank, said: "It was all down to the fact that the weather did not favour them. Rashid Abdi, of the International Crisis Group (ICG), a Brussels-based think tank, said: "It was all down to the fact that the weather did not favour them.
"And now the weather has improved, they're back in business again.""And now the weather has improved, they're back in business again."
The hijackings usually end in the payment of ransoms.
More than 130 pirates attacks, including close to 50 successful hijackings, were reported in 2008, threatening one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.