23 Russians are on board the hijacked vessel

30.10.2009
23 Russians are aboard Thai fishing vessel Thai Union 3 hijacked on Oct 29 in Indian Ocean 350 km north Seychelles, says Far Eastern Shipmasters' Association.

There are 2 Filipinos and 2 Ghanaians apart of Russians.

The crew is safe and sound, says Andrew Mwangura, the head of East Africa Seafarers Assistance Program.

As it was previously said by representative of Atalanta EU anti-piracy force, pirates got on board Thai Union 3 by two speedboats and are running it to Somali coast.

Russian MFA watches the situation over the vessel's hijacking. Information about crew list is being specified.

According to International Maritime Bureau, in 2007 pirates executed 35 attacks on vessels, in 2008 – 111, in 2009 – over 170 so far. Anti-piracy activities in the region are being performed by ships of EU, NATO, the USA, Japan, South Korea and China.

Somalian government will eliminate piracy by 2011 thanks to a number of civil and military initiatives including providing legal employment for pirates, said Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Somali Prime Minister on Wednesday.

Source: RusNavy.com, photo: Somali pirate (ict.org.il)