Crew of hijacked Indian ship safe

 The ship was hijacked from Salalah port, Oman, on Saturday. The ship with 21 Indian crew were reported to be safe and according to an official spokesperson of the Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, the captain was allowed to speak to company officials here. However, the pirates have not made any contact with the owners, the shipping company officials or with any designated authorities, the spokesperson informed Deccan Herald.

The relatives of the crew members have been duly informed and the shipping company has put up three family support centres in India. The ship due to inclement weather has not dropped her anchor and is reportedly cruising just north of Bandar Beyla, in Somali waters.

However, Director-General of Shipping Satish Agnihotri told Deccan Herald: “Though the ship has been tracked down, it is difficult to state as to where the pirates intend to drop anchor. Three different groups operate in Somalia waters. Each group has its own style of functioning, different demands and separate anchorage points located in northern, central and southern coastal bays.”