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EU maritime centre reports hijacking of Iranian fishing vessel off Somalia
MSCIO said the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Azini was reported hijacked off northeastern Somalia on Oct. 29, with crew safety unknown and a warning it could be used as a mothership.
- MSCIO and Hiiraan Online are now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Somali pirates seize Iranian fishing vessel, raising fears of attacks on cargo ships”
- Our desk filed its story
The European Union's Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean said it received information that the Iranian fishing vessel Azini was hijacked by armed pirates off northeastern Somalia at about 09:00 UTC on Oct. 291,2.
MSCIO listed the vessel's last reported position as 09 degrees 42 minutes north, 053 degrees 55 minutes east at 04:00 UTC on Oct. 301. The centre said the crew's safety remained unknown and that Azini could potentially be used as a mothership for further piracy attacks1,2. Operation ATALANTA is investigating, MSCIO said, and it advised ships nearby to keep heightened watch, follow BMP-MS guidance, and report suspicious activity1.
An update described on Hiiraan Online as displayed Oct. 31 placed Azini approaching a maritime traffic lane, with MSCIO warning it could be used as a mothership2.
The Associated Press, citing an unnamed Puntland Maritime Police Force officer, reported 12 pirates took the ship between Bandar Bayla and Hafun, with 21 Iranian crew members and two Somali security guards3. Hiiraan separately attributed the Banderbayla location and two Somali guards to Puntland Post and said it had not independently verified those points2.
What happens next is an ATALANTA inquiry and continued MSCIO warnings to commercial traffic1,2. Independent public confirmation of the crew's condition has not been issued1,2.
Sources
How it’s being reported
3 sourcesFirst reported by 
MSCIO
MSCIOFirstALERT 161/26 — reported hijacking of Iranian fishing vessel AZINI
Time, last reported position, unknown crew safety, mothership risk, Operation ATALANTA inquiry.
Primary MSCIO piracy alert on the reported Oct. 29 hijacking of Azini off northeastern Somalia.
Leaves out Crew nationality counts and pirate numbers given by Somali security sources.
EU Naval Mission Investigates Reported Hijacking of Iranian Vessel Off Somalia
That MSCIO has not confirmed attacks launched from Azini or identified those responsible.
Mogadishu-based report on MSCIO's Azini alert and unverified local accounts of the boarding site and Somali guards.
Somali pirates seize Iranian fishing vessel, raising fears of attacks on cargo ships
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.
Where they agree
- MSCIO reported a hijacking of Azini off northeastern Somalia on Oct. 29.
- Crew safety is unknown in the official alert.
- MSCIO warned the vessel could be used as a mothership.
Where they differ
Exact boarding location, pirate numbers, and crew composition