Colombo - Somali pirates seized an Iranian-owned cargo ship and its 23-strong crew in the first hijacking within Maldivian territory, a security official said.
The vessel identified as MV. Eglantine, had been seized along with 23 crew off the north-western Hoarafush island in the Indian Ocean atoll nation of the Maldives, the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) said.
Maldivian authorities rushed boats to the area after they were alerted by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, MNDF spokesman Abdulla Ali told AFP when contacted by telephone.
"Our vessels are yet to reach the location where the hijacking is said to have taken place," he said, adding that they were also coordinating their efforts with the navy of neighbouring India.
In November, the Maldives announced it was working with Sri Lanka and India on a strategy to deal with Somali pirates. The Maldives had arrested 37 Somali pirates who were drifting near the archipelago.
Sri Lanka has also arrested an unspecified number of Somali pirates.
Two decades of lawlessness have carved up Somalia into mini-fiefdoms ruled by gunmen and militia, encouraging rampant piracy.
At least 40 vessels and more than 400 hostages were still being held in or just off Somalia at the end of last year, according to the Ecoterra International group which monitors piracy in the region. - Sapa-AFP
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