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| Pirates seize tankers off Somalia | Pirates seize tankers off Somalia |
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| Pirates have seized two European-owned tankers off the coast of Somalia in the past day, officials have said. | Pirates have seized two European-owned tankers off the coast of Somalia in the past day, officials have said. |
| The Greek-owned vessel Nipayia, with 19 crew on board, was seized on Wednesday, the Nato Shipping Centre said. | The Greek-owned vessel Nipayia, with 19 crew on board, was seized on Wednesday, the Nato Shipping Centre said. |
| The Norwegian-owned tanker Bow Asir was captured by pirates on Thursday. It had a crew of 27 on board, the Norwegian Shipowners' Association said. | The Norwegian-owned tanker Bow Asir was captured by pirates on Thursday. It had a crew of 27 on board, the Norwegian Shipowners' Association said. |
| Warships from more than a dozen nations currently patrol the region, following a spike in pirate attacks in 2008. | Warships from more than a dozen nations currently patrol the region, following a spike in pirate attacks in 2008. |
| A European Union naval taskforce of seven warships reports some success in preventing other seizures, BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says. | A European Union naval taskforce of seven warships reports some success in preventing other seizures, BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says. |
| But a spokesman for the taskforce stressed that patrolling more than a million square miles of ocean is a huge undertaking, our correspondent reports. | But a spokesman for the taskforce stressed that patrolling more than a million square miles of ocean is a huge undertaking, our correspondent reports. |
| Some ships are taking successful counter-measures and outrunning the pirates, he says, while others are sailing in groups along sea corridors where they can be offered better protection. | Some ships are taking successful counter-measures and outrunning the pirates, he says, while others are sailing in groups along sea corridors where they can be offered better protection. |
| Nato has said five extra warships will join international protection efforts in the coming days. | Nato has said five extra warships will join international protection efforts in the coming days. |
| Crew 'unharmed' | Crew 'unharmed' |
| The 23,000-tonne Bow Asir, which is registered in the Bahamas, is reported to be a chemical tanker. It is not known what cargo it was carrying at the time of the hijack. | The 23,000-tonne Bow Asir, which is registered in the Bahamas, is reported to be a chemical tanker. It is not known what cargo it was carrying at the time of the hijack. |
| Polish foreign ministry spokesman Piotr Paszkowski said the ship's Norwegian owner had informed the ministry that five sailors on board were Polish, the Associated Press news agency reports. | Polish foreign ministry spokesman Piotr Paszkowski said the ship's Norwegian owner had informed the ministry that five sailors on board were Polish, the Associated Press news agency reports. |
| The vessel has a Norwegian captain, the Norwegian Shipowners' Association said. It is believed to have been seized by a group of 16 to 18 pirates. | The vessel has a Norwegian captain, the Norwegian Shipowners' Association said. It is believed to have been seized by a group of 16 to 18 pirates. |
| The 9,000-tonne Nipayia was captured about 450 miles from the southern Somali port of Kismayo, a spokesman for the EU Naval Force (EU Navfor), told the BBC. | The 9,000-tonne Nipayia was captured about 450 miles from the southern Somali port of Kismayo, a spokesman for the EU Naval Force (EU Navfor), told the BBC. |
| The crew in both hijacked vessels were believed to be unharmed, the spokesman said. | The crew in both hijacked vessels were believed to be unharmed, the spokesman said. |
| The Nipayia has a Filipino crew, according to the website of the EU's Maritime Security Centre. | The Nipayia has a Filipino crew, according to the website of the EU's Maritime Security Centre. |
| Both tankers are far smaller than the Sirius Star, the Saudi supertanker that was captured by Somali pirates last November carrying 2m barrels of oil. It was released in January. | Both tankers are far smaller than the Sirius Star, the Saudi supertanker that was captured by Somali pirates last November carrying 2m barrels of oil. It was released in January. |
| The Nato Shipping Centre said three other vessels had reported being pursued by small boats on Wednesday and Thursday. | The Nato Shipping Centre said three other vessels had reported being pursued by small boats on Wednesday and Thursday. |
| Somali pirates also hijacked a yacht with two people on board after it left the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles state broadcaster said on Wednesday. | Somali pirates also hijacked a yacht with two people on board after it left the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles state broadcaster said on Wednesday. |