9 Feb 2011

Hijacked tanker heading for African coast

6:50 am on 9 February 2011

An Italian oil tanker that has been hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean is heading towards Somalia.

The European Union anti-piracy taskforce says the tanker, which is carrying crude oil destined for Malaysia, has been turned west towards the African coast.

Pirates used guns and rocket propelled grenades in their assault on the vessel, near the Yemeni island of Socotra.

No crew members were injured.