Pirates have demanded a $10 million ransom for the release of 18 crew members held captive after hijacking a Chinese-owned fishing vessel off the northeastern coast of Somalia last month.
The hijackers, who have shared photos of the captives surrounded by armed men on the ship’s deck, are holding the vessel in the Xaafuun district of Puntland.
A Somali government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ransom demand.
The official noted that the vessel’s fishing license, issued by Puntland in 2020, had expired.
The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) has classified the incident as “robbery at sea.”
The hijacking underscores the persistent security challenges in Somali waters.
While piracy incidents have significantly decreased in recent years due to the presence of international naval forces, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat.
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