NAIROBI, Kenya – The naval spokesman for the European Union's anti-piracy force says Somali pirates have seized a Chinese cargo ship with 25 people onboard.
Cmdr. John Harbour says that coalition forces had observed at least two pirates onboard the deck of the De Xin Hai. He says the cargo ship also was towing two light skiffs used by the pirates behind it.
The attack occurred early Monday in the Indian Ocean about 700 miles (1,100 kilometers) east of the lawless Somali coastline.
Somali pirates using sophisticated equipment are able to strike hundreds of miles offshore at ships traveling between Europe and Asia.
A total of 146 people are currently being held hostage by Somali pirates.
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