Two Ships Seized Off Somali Coast

According to a Jan. 2 report from Voice of America News, authorities say Somali pirates have hijacked a British-flagged cargo ship transporting cars and a chemical tanker from Singapore. The cargo ship Asian Glory was reported to have been hijacked along with 25-member crew late on Jan. 1, about 1,000 kilometers east of Somalia. Earlier that day pirates were also reported to have seized the chemical tanker Pramoni in the Gulf of Aden. The Pramoni's crew includes 17 Indonesians, five Chinese, one Vietnamese and one Nigerian. According to the report, maritime officials say Somali pirates are currently holding more than 10 foreign vessels and more than 200 crewmen hostage.

(Source: VOANews.com)