Somali pirates arrested in Gujarat

Gujarat, Jun 20: About 17 somali pirates out of which 14 are suspected to be Africans were arrested by the police in Saurashtra region, Gujarat, said the police on Jun 20 (today).

The pirates were caught after the ship they were in drifted to the Indian coastline after the vessel ran out of fuel. The police arrested the pirates after villagers alerted the police about the same.

According to BH Jadeja, police inspector, the 14 seemed like somali pirates while the remaining three are suspected to be from Yemen.

"In this boat, there were 17 men. Out of these 17, 14 men are from Somalia and other three are from Yemen. The owner of this boat also belongs to Yemen. These pirates had set out from Somalia, from 'Tuhen' island and these pirates were involved in fishing in their country. Around May 20, the boat's engine broke down. That's why they got drifted towards the Gujarat coast," said Deputy Superintendent of Police, V D Gohil,Veraval.

The pirates captured a ship of Yemeni nationals. The ship ran out of fuel in sea and drifted towards the Indian coast.

Having run out fuel, food and water, the 17 men were in bad shape according to official sources. Some of the men had to be taken to hospital after which they were taken to the police station for further investigation.

"Nothing incriminating has been found from them," said a police officer.

Questions are being raised on how the pirates managed to sneak into a high security area despite of Indian Navy, coast guard's presence.

Before drifting to the Indian coast the pirates looted 'Al Hara' a Yemeni ship.

OneIndia News