Benin
A Greek-flagged chemical tanker with a crew of 22 has been attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea off western Africa, the ship’s management company said Thursday.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
A spokeswoman for Minerva Marine said the Minerva Virgo was boarded some 45 miles (72 kilometers) off the coast of Benin on Thursday on its way from The Netherlands to Lagos, Nigeria.
She said most of the crew — including six Greeks — were able to take refuge under standard safety procedures in a safe part of the vessel that, once secured, is inaccessible from the outside.
Greek merchant marine authorities said it appeared that one seaman who didn’t make it in time was captured by the attackers, but that was still under investigation.
The Minerva Marine spokeswoman said the company was in contact with officials on shore seeking a vessel to approach the Minerva Virgo and pursue the pirates.
AP
Go to video
Chinese supermarket in Abuja shut for allegedly barring Nigerians
01:13
Nigeria seeking $2.25 billion in World Bank loans
01:47
Environmental Volunteering: Activists gather in Lagos ahead of World Earth Day
00:39
Nigerian chess master plays for 60 hours in bid to set new world record
01:28
Nigeria's crude oil output goes down again in March - OPEC
01:05
A Nigerian chess champion is trying to break the world record for the longest chess marathon