2010-07-05 18:43

NAIROBI - Somali pirates have hijacked Greek-owned ship with 18 Filipino crew members on board, both EU anti-piracy mission and a regional maritime official confirmed on Monday.

European Union Naval Force Somalia spokesman John Harbour and East Africa Coordinator of Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP) Andrew Mwangura said the MT Motivator was seized in the northern Bab Al Mandeb area in the southern Red Sea on Sunday.

"In the early hours of July 4, the MT Motivator reported it was under small arms fire from a pirate attack in the northern Bab Al Mandeb area in the southern Red Sea. After notification of this attack, attempts were made to make contact with the Motivator but to no avail. The hijack was confirmed early on July 5," Harbour said.