Commercial ship ‘is hijacked by pirates’ and heading towards Somalia: Crew ‘no longer in control’ as Spanish warship heads to intercept

• This is a breaking news story, more to follow 

A commercial ship has been hijacked and is currently heading towards by Somalia, the UK’s Marine Trade Operations said. 

The nautical agency said the crew of the European Naval Force Operation Atalanta flagship Victoria, a Spanish vessel, no longer has control of the vessel, though they are all safe at the moment. 

The ship is currently around 680 nautical miles east of Bosaso, Somalia. 

Spanish warships have been scrambled to investigate the hijacking, the EU’s counter Somali Piracy Force said. 

‘Based on first information available on MV Ruen, the EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA flagship Spanish Ship Victoria is proceeding fast towards the alleged pirate-hijacked vessel to gain more awareness and evaluate following actions,’ the EU’s force said in a statement to Reuters.

The statement added that it was coordinating with the broader international naval Combined Maritime Force.

Operation Atalanta is the EU’s ongoing counter-piracy military operation off the Horn of Africa that aims to protect Somalia-bound commercial ships. 

It also protects vessels of the World Food Programme and the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia.  

Atalanta was the very first naval operation launched by the EU, which claims it has arrested 171 pirates as a result of the military operation. 

More to follow. 

Source: Read Full Article