A Chinese fishing vessel with up to 18 crew members has been seized by suspected pirates in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region, the European Union’s anti-piracy naval force reported on Thursday.
The attackers, some armed with AK-47s and machine guns, have taken control of the vessel in what has been classified as a sea robbery. However, the crew members escaped injury, according to the naval force.
Piracy off the Somali coast wreaked havoc from 2008 to 2018, disrupting global shipping routes. Though activity declined for years, incidents have resurged since late last year.