Somali pirates hijack fishing boat with 43 sailors

Somali pirates have hijacked a South Korean-operated fishing boat with 43 sailors, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday in a statement two South Koreans, two Chinese and 39 Kenyans were aboard the 241-ton Kenya-registered trawler when it was attacked Oct. 9 in the waters off Kenya’s Lamu Island.

It was not immediately known if negotiations with the pirates had begun or if they were demanding a ransom.

South Korean officials declined to provide details about the kidnapping, saying that might undermine chances for the fishermen’s safe release.

Seoul’s Yonhap news agency reported the ship had been fishing for crab in the area for about one month before being seized and taken to a pirate stronghold in northern Somalia.