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Somali pirates hijack more ships Somali pirates hijack more ships
(20 minutes later)
Somali pirates have hijacked a fourth vessel in 48 hours, seizing a Togo-flagged vessel.Somali pirates have hijacked a fourth vessel in 48 hours, seizing a Togo-flagged vessel.
The 5,000-tonne MV Sea Horse was taken by gunmen in up to four skiffs, Nato officials said.The 5,000-tonne MV Sea Horse was taken by gunmen in up to four skiffs, Nato officials said.
Earlier, pirates hijacked a Greek-owned bulk carrier, the MV Irene. On Monday, Somali raiders captured two Egyptian fishing boats in the Gulf of Aden.Earlier, pirates hijacked a Greek-owned bulk carrier, the MV Irene. On Monday, Somali raiders captured two Egyptian fishing boats in the Gulf of Aden.
Analysts say the gangs are clearly not put off by recent US and French hostage rescues that left several bandits dead.Analysts say the gangs are clearly not put off by recent US and French hostage rescues that left several bandits dead.
Somali pirate leaders - who have generally treated captives well in the hope of winning big ransom payouts - vowed on Monday to avenge the deaths.Somali pirate leaders - who have generally treated captives well in the hope of winning big ransom payouts - vowed on Monday to avenge the deaths.
After a lull earlier this year, the gangs have stepped up their attacks off Somalia's coast in recent weeks.After a lull earlier this year, the gangs have stepped up their attacks off Somalia's coast in recent weeks.
The 22 Filipino crew of the MV Irene, which was sailing from the Middle East to South Asia, are believed to be unhurt. The vessel was captured in a rare night-time attack. They attacked at night, which was very unusual, they were using the moonlight as it's still quite bright Lt Cdr Alexandre Fernandes class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7998188.stm"> US crew's pirate 'hide-and-seek'
A Nato helicopter has reportedly been dispatched from a Canadian warship to investigate what is happening to the ship. The 22 Filipino crew of the MV Irene, which was sailing from the Middle East to South Asia, are believed to be unhurt.
Power vacuum A Nato helicopter has reportedly been dispatched from a Canadian warship to investigate what is happening to the merchant vessel, flagged in Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines.
Hours later, Nato officials on a Portuguese warship told Reuters news agency the MV Sea Horse had also been seized by about 77 nautical miles (143km) off Somalia. Nato Lt Cdr Alexandre Fernandes told Reuters news agency: "There was only three minutes between the alarm and the hijack.
"They attacked at night, which was very unusual. They were using the moonlight as it's still quite bright."
Hours later, Nato officials on a Portuguese warship announced the MV Sea Horse had also been seized off Somalia.
It is said to be the tenth hijacking in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean since the start of the month.
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.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.
We are resolved to halt the rise of piracy in that region Barack ObamaUS president class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7998188.stm"> US crew's pirate 'hide-and-seek' The pirates eventually fled the Maersk Alabama, taking its American captain hostage.
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 skipper was freed. But after a stand-off with a US warship, three pirates were killed by three single shots from US snipers on Sunday and the skipper was freed.
US President Barack Obama has now promised to "halt the rise of piracy" in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, following the operation to free Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama. US President Barack Obama has now promised to "halt the rise of piracy" in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Last Friday French forces killed two pirates and captured three more while freeing a yacht with five crew but the yacht's owner also died in the gunfight. Last Friday French forces killed two pirates and captured three more while freeing a yacht with five hostages but the vessel's owner also died in the gunfight.
Shipping companies last year the firms handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to Somali pirates. Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to Somali pirates.
The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive.The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive.
Efforts to stop the raiders have so far had only limited success, with international naval patrols struggling to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate.Efforts to stop the raiders have so far had only limited success, with international naval patrols struggling to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate.