Published: November 5, 2011
Somali pirates have likely captured a Taiwanese fishing vessel off the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Seychelles, according to Taiwanese authorities.
The Chin Yi Wen with a crew of 28, including nine Chinese, eight Filipinos, six Indonesians and five Vietnamese nationals, had been out of contact since Friday and was likely seized by Somali pirates, the foreign ministry said.
The boat was last reported heading towards the Somali coast.
Two decades of lawlessness have carved up Somalia into mini-fiefdoms ruled by gunmen and militia, encouraging rampant piracy.
At least 47 foreign vessels and more than 500 sailors are being held by pirates, according to Ecoterra International, an NGO monitoring maritime activity in the region.
Source: AFP
