Pirate attack off Somalia thwarted by EU Naval Force
| MOGADISHU, Somalia
The European Union Naval Force says Somali聽pirates聽who took control of a cargo vessel with 14 Indian sailors on board fled after counter piracy ships from the EU and NATO responded.
The EU Naval Force says 14 Indian sailors aboard a dhow alerted officials Wednesday that their craft was under聽attack聽from 12 armed聽pirates. Swedish and Dutch warships responded. The聽pirates聽then steered the hijacked vessel toward the coast and abandoned it.
Somali聽pirates聽once held dozens of ships and hundreds of hostages. But the number of聽attacks聽has dropped considerably due to anti-piracy patrols and armed guards on ships.
The EU Naval Force says Somali聽pirates聽haven't hijacked a ship since May 2012. The force says聽pirates聽haveattacked聽four ships this year, none successfully.
