Thai Fishermen Seized by Somali Pirates in Long-Distance Hijacking

20 April 2010

EU Naval Force French warship FS Nivose with Somali pirate skiffs off the Somali coast (file photo)

Somali pirates hijacking vessels at sea have become an almost daily occurrence. But the latest incident is raising the alarm far from the East African coast.

It is a scenario that has become all but routine – an act of piracy on the high seas by Somalis. This time the pirates have hijacked three fishing vessels from Thailand (and operating from Djibouti) with a total crew of 77 Thais aboard the ships. But what is unusual is that it has taken place more than 1,900 kilometers east of the African coast.

Commander John Harbour is at the European Union's Naval Force Maritime Security Center in London.

"Since the European Union Naval Force arrived in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin in the Indian Ocean back in December 2008, this is the farthest hijacking that we're aware of. In fact, it's closer to the Indian coast than it is to the Somali coast," Harbour said.

Patrols by European and American warships have compelled the pirates to venture farther from their home waters.

Authorities say the crews of the Thai fishing boats appear safe and that the hijacked vessels are heading towards the Somali coast.

Commander Harbour tells VOA News this latest incident – so far away from Somalia – should serve as a wake-up call for the international community.