At least six Indians are among the 10-member crew of a Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel hijacked by pirates off Somalia’s Puntland coast earlier this week, according to a Somali official.
The merchant ship LUTUF was seized on Monday about 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district, the Associated Press reported, citing an official who was not authorised to publicly discuss the sensitive matter.
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The pirates reportedly took the vessel towards the Nugaal coast. Eight suspected pirates, believed to be linked to a group involved in the hijacking of another merchant vessel, Sward, on April 26, were said to have moved the ship towards the coast near Garmaal in Puntland’s Dangoroyo district.
According to the official, LUTUF was carrying Turkish weapons bound for a military training facility in Mogadishu, along with communications and satellite equipment. The vessel is owned by Polar Movement Shipping.
The latest incident highlights continuing concerns over piracy and maritime security along Somalia’s coast.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
