Pirate attacks jump tenfold off Somalia this year: Watchdog

Pirate attacks off Somalia jumped tenfold in the first three months of 2009 compared to last year,a maritime watchdog said.

Pirate attacks off Somalia jumped tenfold in the first three months of 2009 compared to last year,a maritime watchdog said on Tuesday,urging foreign navies to maintain their patrols.

The International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre said that worldwide,incidents of high-seas piracy almost doubled in the first quarter of 2009,from 53 to 102.

“The increase in the first quarter of 2009 is due almost entirely to increased Somali pirate activity off the Gulf of Aden and east coast of Somalia,” it said,adding that attacks there rose from six to 61.

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The Kuala Lumpur-based centre said that worldwide,a total of 34 vessels were boarded,29 vessels fired upon and nine vessels hijacked during the three months.

Total 178 of crew were taken hostage,two were killed,nine were injured,and five kidnapped.

“In the majority of incidents,the attackers were heavily armed with guns or knives. Violence against crew members continues to increase,” it said.

The piracy watchdog commended the role of the foreign navies who have been patrolling the lawless region,and thwarting many attacks.

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