Yemen’s coast guard announced Saturday that the M/T EUREKA oil tanker was hijacked by unidentified armed men off the coast of Shabwa province and steered toward Somali waters in the Gulf of Aden.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) first reported a suspicious approach by a white fishing vessel and a green-hulled skiff on Saturday before the coast guard released its official statement.
Coast guard officials confirmed that the tanker’s location has been identified. Efforts are currently underway to track the vessel, implement recovery measures, and ensure the safety of the crew.
Renewed Surge in Somali Piracy
The hijacking follows a report from the UKMTO one day prior, in which a bulk carrier was approached by seven armed persons aboard a black-hulled skiff in the same area.
Additionally, an oil tanker and a cargo vessel have been hijacked off the coast of Somalia since April 21. British security group Ambrey has characterized these incidents as a “renewed surge in Somali piracy.”
On April 23, a separate cargo vessel was approached by fishing boats carrying armed individuals, though the suspicious vessels retreated after an exchange of fire.
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