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/8139917.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Turkish ship seized off Somalia Turkish ship seized off Somalia
(about 6 hours later)
A Turkish cargo ship with 23 crew on board has been seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia.A Turkish cargo ship with 23 crew on board has been seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
Istanbul-based Horizon Shipping said pirates in speed boats had surrounded the Horizon I vessel in the Gulf of Aden at about 0530 GMT.Istanbul-based Horizon Shipping said pirates in speed boats had surrounded the Horizon I vessel in the Gulf of Aden at about 0530 GMT.
Three attackers managed to board the tanker, which was heading from Saudi Arabia to Jordan, the firm said.Three attackers managed to board the tanker, which was heading from Saudi Arabia to Jordan, the firm said.
Maritime officials believe pirates in Somalia are still holding about 10 ships for ransom. Maritime officials believe pirates in Somalia are now holding 12 ships, with about 200 crew, for ransom.
See map of the worldwide effects of piracy See map of the worldwide effects of piracy
The country has been without a functioning central government since 1991, allowing pirates to operate almost uninhibited in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.The country has been without a functioning central government since 1991, allowing pirates to operate almost uninhibited in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
In this season it is hard to take ships because monsoon winds make the seas rough. No one expected attacks at this time Negotiator Andrew Mwangura In this season it is hard to take ships because monsoon winds make the seas rough. No-one expected attacks at this time Negotiator Andrew Mwangura class="" href="/2/hi/africa/8103585.stm">Postcard from Somali pirate capital
Omer Ozgur, from Horizon Shipping, told the Associated Press that the Horizon I was continuing on its course despite the hijack. Omer Ozgur, from Horizon Shipping, said the Horizon I was continuing on its course despite the hijack.
The pirates have not yet issued any demands, or contacted the firm. The pirates have not yet issued any demands or contacted the firm.
Andrew Mwangura, of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme which works to free ships, confirmed the seizure. Andrew Mwangura, of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme, which works to free ships, said the attack came as a surprise.
"In this season it is hard to take ships because monsoon winds make the seas rough. No one expected attacks at this time," he told Reuters news agency. "In this season it is hard to take ships because monsoon winds make the seas rough. No-one expected attacks at this time," he told Reuters news agency.
After the release of a Belgian ship last month, the International Maritime Bureau said pirates were still holding 12 ships and 200 crew. Earlier, Nato spokesman Commander Chris Davies told the BBC's Network Africa programme that pirates in the Gulf of Aden were having less success this year compared with last year.
Earlier in June EU ministers agreed to extend an anti-piracy operation - known as Atalanta - off the Horn of Africa until the end of 2010. But he said Nato, which has an anti-piracy task force off the Horn of Africa, wanted the legal apparatus in place in Africa to deal with the pirates if they were caught.
"If we capture the pirates we're not looking to take them all the way back to, say, America or Turkey," he said.
Earlier in June the EU, which co-operates with Nato in the region, agreed to extend its anti-piracy operation there until the end of 2010.
Two dozen ships from European Union nations, including Britain, France, Germany and Italy, patrol an area of about two million square miles.Two dozen ships from European Union nations, including Britain, France, Germany and Italy, patrol an area of about two million square miles.
--> --> --> -->
When first loaded, the map's focus falls on Somalia where most of the pirates are based. Use the arrow icons to scroll left towards Europe and the United States which are both playing a central role in tackling the problem.When first loaded, the map's focus falls on Somalia where most of the pirates are based. Use the arrow icons to scroll left towards Europe and the United States which are both playing a central role in tackling the problem.
Scroll to the right for a story about the Philippines, which supplies many of the world's mariners.Scroll to the right for a story about the Philippines, which supplies many of the world's mariners.
You can zoom in for more detail by using the "+" or "-" signs on the upper left hand side.You can zoom in for more detail by using the "+" or "-" signs on the upper left hand side.
Return to top Return to top