Pirates set fire to vessel after failed hijack
September 26, 2011
Pirates set fire to a cargo ship after they were unable to hijack it, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
Armed pirates aboard two skiffs about 300 nautical miles east of Mombasa, Kenya, attempted to seize the Pacific Express over the weekend.
Crew members escaped to the citadel – a safe room – where they were able to control power and call for help.
Unable to gain control of the ship, the pirates set it on fire in a bid to force the crew out of the citadel, but fled when they saw a NATO anti-piracy vessel, the Andrea Doria, approaching.
The ship’s 26 crew were evacuated and taken to Mombasa.
