Pirates Hijack Two Vessels

EU NAVFOR report that the Togo flagged MV KHALED MUHIEDDINE K was pirated in the Arabian Sea approximately 330 nautical miles south east of the Omani coastal port of Salalah.

The master of the vessel notified authorities of the attack, but all communication with the vessel has since been lost.

The Syrian owned vessel has deadweight of 24,022 tons and a crew of 25 (22 Syrian and 3 Egyptian).

EU NAVFOR also reports that the HOANG SUN, a bulk carrier, is believed to have been hijacked. The ship was attacked approximately 520 nautical miles south east of the port of Muscat, Oman. The Mongolian flagged ship is Vietnamese owned and has 24 Vietnamese nationals onboard. Details of the attack are unknown.

Pirates are currently holding 30 vessels and 723 hostages.