Chinese navy to help ship attacked by pirates in Indian Ocean

A warship will reach the site tomorrow morning to help the Chinese ship attacked by pirates in the northern Indian Ocean, the China Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (CMSRC) said here.

Twenty-six Chinese crew aboard the Lecong, belonging to COSCO Shipping Co Ltd, had fought off the pirates, said Zhai Jiugang, Director of the CMSRC.The centre, which received a call for help last night, dispatched a warship from escort duty in the Gulf of Aden yesterday and it was expected to meet Lecong tomorrow morning, Zhai was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

One of the 26 crew members was injured in the fight, he said.The United Nations has warned that Somali pirates are becoming more brazen though a fleet of international naval force is seeking to curb frequent attacks.

The pirates have kidnapped almost 100 new crew and passengers from ships in less than a month and there are now at least 438 seafarers and 20 ships held by bandits, according to the International Maritime Organisation