MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Chinese fishing boat with 18 crew members on board was hijacked last week off the northeastern coast of Somalia, local authorities said Friday.
An official in Xaafuun district in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, where the ship is being held, told reporters that the hijackers included the ship’s security guards, who later joined forces with armed men from the coastal region.
The European Union’s naval anti-piracy force, Eunavfor Atalanta, drew global attention to the incident after issuing a statement on Thursday confirming that local maritime authorities had notified it and investigations revealed that armed men were in charge.
“Regarding the crew members, there are up to 18 people. None were injured. After investigation, the event was classified as an armed robbery at sea,” the statement read in part.
A local businessman close to the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisals, told The Associated Press that at the time of the hijacking, the ship had two guards on board.
“The vessel is one of 10 vessels authorized by the Puntland administration to operate in Somali waters, with a license valid for the last three years. The hijackers first took the ship to Jiifle, a coastal area in Godobjiraan district in the Nugaal region. Since then, the vessel has reportedly been moved between several locations and is currently in Maraya, a village along the coast under the jurisdiction of Eyl district,” the businessman said.
The ship, registered under the Taiwanese flag, is represented locally by a businessman from the Puntland region.
Unverified reports from the region suggest that the hijackers initially demanded a $5 million ransom, but were offered $1 million, which they reportedly refused. Somali authorities have not confirmed these claims.
The incident highlights ongoing maritime security challenges in Somali waters. Authorities say an investigation is underway.
Somalia has for years been plagued by piracy, which peaked in 2011, when the UN said more than 160 attacks had been recorded off Somalia’s coast.
Incidents have declined significantly since then, however, largely due to the presence of U.S. and allied navies in international waters.
