An attempt to pirate a 36,000 tonnes Italian cruise liner was successfully repelled last night after the vessel took evasive action to avoid the hijacking. Approximately 1500 passengers and crew are on board, none of whom were injured in the attack. The incident took place in the Indian Ocean some 500 miles east of Mogadishu and 200 miles north of the Seychelles and vessels are warned to stay away from this area for fear of further attacks.
The Op Atalanta Spanish warship SPS MARQUES DE LA ENSENADA will rendezvous with the liner later this morning to accompany her as she transits north to the Gulf of Aden.