Six sailors were kidnapped when pirates attacked a ship with a Russian crew off the coast of Benin in West Africa, Russia’s Maritime and River Transport agency confirmed.
The pirates boarded Panama-flagged MSC Mandy early on Wednesday, Rosmorrechflot said. There were 23 Russians and one Ukrainian among the crew members. Six sailors were taken by the perpetrators, while the rest remain aboard unharmed.
The attack reportedly took place around midnight some 55 nautical miles off Cotonou, a large port city in Benin.
The area off the coast of Benin and neighboring Nigeria is considered high-risk waters. There were five reported pirate attack near Cotonou and more than 20 near Nigeria’s Lagos last year.
Russian diplomats in Nigeria and Benin are working to release the captured sailors, RIA Novosti reported. No demands have been made so far.
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Source : RT - Daily news
6 Russians kidnapped after pirates attack vessel near Benin - Maritime authority
6 Russians kidnapped after pirates attack vessel near Benin - Maritime authority
