Pirates seize another vessel off Somali coast as threat level increased

The UK's maritime monitor reports at least four suspected piracy incidents in the past week off the coast of Somalia. Somalia piracy: Another vessel seized as threat level increased Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Armed gunmen stand on a rocky base next to the shore in Somalia Pirates seize another vessel off Somali coast as threat level increased Maritime authorities are warning of an increased threat to ships off the coast of Somalia after a cargo ship became the latest vessel to be seized in a suspected act of piracy. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised the threat level in the area to "substantial" as it reported "unauthorised persons" seized the vessel and re-directed it to Somalia's territorial waters on Sunday. At least four vessels have been targeted in suspected piracy incidents in the last week including a fishing vessel and oil tanker. Until three years ago piracy had almost disappeared in this stretch of the Indian Ocean once notorious for hijackings, but it has since made a comeback. "Due to the increased threat of possible PAG (Pirate Action Group) activity, vessels are advised to transit with caution," the UKMTO said in a statement, noting that weather is conducive to small boat operations. The hijacking on Sunday occurred six nautical miles off Garacad, Somalia, the UKMTO said in a statement. No further details were reported. The UKMTO also issued a warning over a separate hijacking off the coast of Mareeyo, northern Somalia which occurred on 21 April. Pirates also hijacked an oil tanker, Honour 25, with 17 crew that was sailing near the Somali coast on 22 April, according to multiple security officials speaking to the BBC. an oil tanker, Honour 25, with 17 crew that was sailing near the Somali coast on 22 April, according to multiple security officials speaking to the BBC Under the control of the pirates, the vessel, with a crew of 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan and one from Myanmar, anchored close to the Somali shore between the fishing towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla. The UKMTO also reported that a Somali-flagged fishing vessel had been seized on Thursday. At least two armed people also attempted to board a cargo ship from a small boat on Thursday, the UKMTO reported, although they turned away after the cargo's crew fired warning shots. Between 2005 and 2012, pirates off the Horn of Africa raked in between $339m (£266m) and $413m (£325) by holding crew members hostage and demanding ransom payments, the World Bank has estimated. A fisherman-turned-pirate looking directly at the camera through a blue patterned scarf wrapped around his head only allowing his eyes to peep through - Eldoret, Somalia Somali piracy 2.0 - the BBC meets the new robbers of the high seas A man with his back to the camera stands on some rocks by the see. he is holding a rifle across his shoulders. Pirates hijack oil tanker off the coast of Somalia Blue waters of the sea, and part of a ship showing a fire hose installed on a rail of a ship to repel pirates in the event of an attack. Pirates fire grenades and board vessel off Somali coast Piracy, once notorious in this stretch of the Indian Ocean, has made a comeback in recent years. Jermaine Grant is accused of attended a training camp in Somalia and other terrorist activities. Councillor Yassin Mohamud said he intended to "use this platform to bring people together" The dispute was initially between two families before escalating into a cycle of reprisal attacks. A wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatists has spread through the country. Witnesses report clashes in the centre and north, in what has been described as the largest jihadist attack in years. The activist has condemned France's influence in West Africa and been accused of being a "Russian mouthpiece". Several black Zambians tell the BBC they sometimes feel like they are second-class citizens in their own country.