NAIROBI – The European Union Naval Force said Somali pirates have hijacked a Turkish ship with 21 crew on board. The attack took place more than 400 miles outside where the naval force operates. Cmdr. John Harbour told reporters yesterday that the hijacking was closer to India than Somalia, and represents a substantial increase in the pirates' range. Harbour said there were 19 Turks and two Ukrainians on board the Malta-flagged MV Frigia. He said the ship was hijacked more than 1,000 miles from the pirate stronghold of Haradhere. Experts said piracy will continue to be a problem until an effective government is established on Somalia's lawless shores. "My men have hijacked a Turkish ship from Indian Ocean and they are now heading towards me here in Haradhere," a pirate only known as Ali, told reporters. No further details were immediately available.
