Nairobi (Kenya):
The European Union (EU) Naval Force says Somali pirates have hijacked a cargo ship with 15 Indian crew onboard.
EU spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Per Klingvall said on Wednesday that the Asphalt Venture lost contact with its owners on Tuesday night. He could not provide further details of the incident.
The ship was headed from Kenya to South Africa when it was attacked off the Tanzanian coast.
Somali pirates are holding at least 16 ships and more than 300 crew members captive for ransom.
Somalia's lawlessness during the past 19 years has allowed piracy to thrive off its Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden coastlines.