Gunfire heard aboard hijacked ship

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Gunfire broke out Tuesday on a Ukrainian cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, Kenyan officials said.

Andrew Mwangura of the Kenya Seafarers Association told CNN it was unknown if the gunfire was between rival hijackers or between the hijackers and authorities stationed on nearby vessels off the coast of Somalia.

On Monday, a shootout between rival hijacker factions aboard the Ukrainian MV Faina killed three of the pirates, the broadcaster said.

The pirates, who are demanding $20 million for the release of the ship loaded with Soviet-era tanks and weapons, are split between moderates who want to surrender and hard-liners who don't, Mwangura said.

U.S. Navy ships have approached the Faina but are not involved in negotiations between the pirates and vessel's owner, Lt. Nathan Christensen told CNN, adding, "There are now several U.S. ships keeping vigilant watch. We want the crew to remain safe and for the cargo not to fall into the wrong hands."