New Delhi, Dec 5, 2019: As many as 18 Indians were kidnapped from a Hong Kong-flagged vessel by pirates close to the coast of Nigeria, an international agency that tracks maritime movements in the area said.
The Indian mission in Nigeria sprung into action and approached authorities in the African country seeking help to acquire details of the kidnapping of Indian citizens and rescue them as soon as possible.
ARX Maritime, the agency that tracks the movements of ships, especially in piracy-prone regions, said the ship was hijacked by pirates on Monday (December 3) with 19 people on board, of which 18 were Indian nationals, with the lone one being a Turkish national.
“The Hong Kong-flagged VLCC, NAVE CONSTELLATION was attacked by pirates during the evening hours of December 3 while transiting through Nigeria. The attack occurred at approximately 19:20 UTC, while the vessel was transiting some 80 nautical miles south of Bonny.
According to initial reports, the pirates managed to board the vessel and kidnap 19 crew members before escaping. The 19 seafarers are comprised of 18 Indian Nationals and one Turkish national. Reports suggest that the vessel is now safe and under the escort of the Nigerian Navy. No further info as to the fate of the remaining seafarers at this time,” ARX Maritime said on its website.
Indian government sources have, meanwhile, said that they are in touch with the Nigerian government to facilitate speedy rescue and return of the Indians.
“Our Mission in Nigeria has taken up the matter related to the kidnapping of Indian crew members of the ship MT Nave Constellation off Bonny, Nigeria with the Nigerian government and security agencies,” news agency ANI quoted Indian government sources as saying.
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