Pirates have set the cargo ship M/V Pacific Express ablaze after they were unable to hijack it, according to a statement from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which tracks piracy attempts and attacks, The Triton reports.
Armed pirates aboard two skiffs about 300 nm east of Mombasa, Kenya, attempted to seize the vessel. Crew members escaped to the citadel, an onboard safe room where they can control power, and called for help.
Unable to start the ship, the pirates set it on fire in the hopes of getting the crew out of the citadel. They fled when they saw the NATO piracy flagship, the Andrea Doria, approaching.
The ship’s 26 crew were evacuated and taken to Mombasa, where it was headed with a shipment of steel bars and coils.
Armed pirates aboard two skiffs about 300 nm east of Mombasa, Kenya, attempted to seize the vessel. Crew members escaped to the citadel, an onboard safe room where they can control power, and called for help.
Unable to start the ship, the pirates set it on fire in the hopes of getting the crew out of the citadel. They fled when they saw the NATO piracy flagship, the Andrea Doria, approaching.
The ship’s 26 crew were evacuated and taken to Mombasa, where it was headed with a shipment of steel bars and coils.