Belgian vessel hijacked

Apr 18, 2009 - 17:35
A Belgian owned and flagged stone carrier was hijacked probably by Somali pirates early this morning in the Somali Basin.

The 1800 tons vessel POMPEI with home port Bruges was en route to Durban/South Africa without any cargo. It was hijacked 700 nautical miles east of the African coast and 150 nautical miles north of the Seychelles islands. With its crew of 11 sailors (2 Belgians, 1 Dutch, 3 Croats, 5 Filipinos) the vessel is now heading North-West towards Somalia at slow speed. No further details available at the very moment.

The POMPEI was registered with the Maritime Security Centre of EU Naval Force Atalanta and was following exactly advice given, particularly by staying outside the recommended 600 nautical miles from the Somali coastline.

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