Hijacked UAE tanker Somalia-bound

Pirates are reported to have hijacked a UAE-owned oil tanker and taking the vessel toward the northern coast of Somalia.

According to a report in Gulf News, the tanker MV Jubaa XX was hijacked on Saturday morning by Somali pirates in the northern Indian Ocean, authorities with the European Union Naval Force Somalia (EUNAVFOR) stated.

Pirates descended on the 4,831-tonne vessel midway between Somalia's northeasternmost tip and the coast of Yemen.

The fate of 16 crew aboard, comprising one Sri Lankan, five Indians, three Bangladeshis, one Sudanese, one Myanmarese, one Kenyan and four Somalis, is still unknown, naval officials said.

According to a statement issued by Commander Harrie Harrison, Royal Navy spokesperson for EUNAVFOR, nine pirates somehow managed to overpower the tanker's crew.