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Panamanian ship seized by pirates off Somali coast

By the CNN Wires Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Panamanian tanker seized by pirates off Somali coast
  • Attack came under cover of darkness Saturday morning
  • MV Polar has 24-member crew

(CNN) -- A Panamanian tanker was seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia Saturday morning, according to the European Union Naval Force Somalia, which escorts ships traveling near the Somali coast.

The owner of the MV Polar also confirms that the vessel is under the control of pirates. It was flying under a Panamanian flag and carrying a crew of 24 when it was seized. The crew consisted of 16 members from the Philippines, four from Montenegro, three from Greece and one from Romania.

The attack came under cover of darkness, nearly 1,100 kilometers from Socotra Island.