Fishing vessel hijacked, Somalia
Issued: 6 months, 1 week ago
| Date | Reference | Region | Category | Aggressors | Source |
| 2024-12-05 09:40:00 | CW Alert 005- (Dec 24) | Indian Ocean | Hijack | Pirates | CLOSED SOURCE/EU NAVFOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| It has been reported that a Chinese-flagged fishing vessel has been hijacked whilst operating in the waters off Garmaal, Somalia (exact position and time not specified). Initial reports indicated that the vessel was boarded on 27th November 2024 after sailing within the 12nm territorial water area and was assessed to be a fishing related incident. A Spanish warship has located the fishing vessel on 4th December 2024 (exact time not specified) in the waters off Eyl, Somalia and has been able to confirm that the vessel was hijacked. The Spanish warship is motioning the situation. UPDATE 1: EU NAVFOR have provided further information that the pirates are in control of the vessel and some are armed with AK-47 rifles and machine guns. Up to eighteen crew are onboard with no injuries reported. They have also confirmed that the fishing vessel has not left Somalian territorial waters and have classified this as an "Armed robbery at sea: a piracy event within territorial waters". UPDATE 2: EU NAVFOR have issued a further update reporting that the pirates remain in control of the vessel, and that their flagship in the area is continuing to monitor the situation and gather information. They have confirmed the crew remain safe and uninjured. UPDATE 3: The Chinese Embassy in Somalia have confirmed that the fishing vessel and crew have been released, and that the vessel is underway to safe water. | |||||