U.S. destroyer following hijacked ship

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A U.S. Navy destroyer entered Somali waters while following a hijacked ship loaded with highly explosive benzene, CNN reported Tuesday.

The destroyer fired on and sank pirate skiffs tied to the Golden Mori's stern before it was known the ship carried benzene, a known carcinogen used as a solvent and to make plastics and synthetics, CNN reported.

The Japanese-owned Golden Mori radioed that it was being hijacked by pirates Sunday night off the Socotra archipelago, near the Horn of Africa, said Andrew Mwangura of the Kenya's Seafarers' Assistance Program.

The U.S. destroyer entered Somali waters Monday after seeking permission from the Somalian government. In years past, warships have stayed outside the 12-mile international border limit when chasing hijackers.

U.S. and NATO warships have been patrolling off Somalia for several years in a crack down against pirates, who are often heavily armed with automatic weapons and rocket launchers, CNN said.