Chemical tanker hijacked by Somali pirates

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- A chemical tanker and its crew of primarily Indian nationals were under the control of Somali pirates Friday after a maritime hijacking, officials say.

Anonymous diplomatic officials said while a patrolling warship was in the same area as the hijacked vessel, the military ship only arrived on the scene after the pirates had gained complete control of the tanker, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Three British security guards were able to be rescued by helicopter after they leaped from the tanker into the sea, the officials said.

But 25 Indian crew members, along with their two Bangladeshi co-workers, are still being held by the pirates.

Details regarding the hijacking were sparse and no information was available regarding the current condition of the 27 prisoners, the Telegraph said.

The newspaper said the hijacking of the Liberian-flagged ship marked the 40th ship to have been taken by pirates off the coast of Somalia so far this year. A total of 97 ships have been the targeted for attacks during that same time period.