This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7997610.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Freighter hijacked near Somalia Freighter hijacked near Somalia
(30 minutes later)
Pirates have hijacked a tanker off the coast of Somalia, maritime officials say, days after several pirates were killed by US and French forces.Pirates have hijacked a tanker off the coast of Somalia, maritime officials say, days after several pirates were killed by US and French forces.
In the latest in a string of attacks by pirates seeking ransom payments, a freighter named as the MV Irene was taken in the Gulf of Aden.In the latest in a string of attacks by pirates seeking ransom payments, a freighter named as the MV Irene was taken in the Gulf of Aden.
Officials were unable to confirm any details of the crew on board. Officials were unable to confirm the nationalities of the crew on board.
It comes after US and French troops managed to free several hostages by opening fire on two groups of pirates.It comes after US and French troops managed to free several hostages by opening fire on two groups of pirates.
After a lull earlier this year, pirates have stepped up their attacks off Somalia's coast in recent weeks.After a lull earlier this year, pirates have stepped up their attacks off Somalia's coast in recent weeks.
Their most high-profile hijack came last week, when a group of attackers attempted to seize a US-flagged ship - believed to be the first time a US vessel has been hijacked in two centuries. Officials from the EU Maritime Security Centre said the Irene, a 35,000-tonne Greek-owned vessel, was seized overnight.
The centre said the 22-man crew is believed to be unhurt and shipping has been warned to stay clear of the area for fear of further attacks.
Somali power vacuum
In a high profile hijack in the Indian Ocean off Somalia last week, a group of attackers attempted to seize a US-flagged ship - believed to be the first time a US vessel has been hijacked in two centuries.
The pirates eventually fled the ship, taking its American captain hostage. But after a stand-off with a US warship, three pirates were killed by US snipers and the captain was freed.The pirates eventually fled the ship, taking its American captain hostage. But after a stand-off with a US warship, three pirates were killed by US snipers and the captain was freed.
That operation came shortly after French forces killed two pirates and captured three more while freeing a yacht with five crew.That operation came shortly after French forces killed two pirates and captured three more while freeing a yacht with five crew.
The yacht's owner was also killed in the gunfight.The yacht's owner was also killed in the gunfight.
Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive.Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive.
Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies. Last year the firms handed over about $80m (£54m).Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies. Last year the firms handed over about $80m (£54m).
Efforts to stop the pirates have so far had only limited success, with international naval patrols struggling to cover the vast areas of ocean where pirates operate. Efforts to stop the pirates have so far had only limited success, with international naval patrols struggling to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate.