Pirates abduct 17 Indian sailors off African coast

Mumbai, Feb 8 (PTI) Suspected Somali pirates todayabducted seventeen Indian and five Italian sailors aftertaking over an Italian-flagged vessel off the African coast.

The oil tanker ''Savina Caylyn'' was taken over by thepirates at 0520 hours IST with a total of 22 crew members onboard, a senior official at the Directorate General ofShipping told PTI.

Those abducted include 17 Indian and 5 Italiannationals, the official said, adding the DGS will be comingout with more details later.

The strike by the pirates comes within two days of thearrest of 24 sea brigands by Indian authorities off the coastof Lakshadweep.