Pirates Hijack Yacht Carrying Family of 5

Somali pirates have hijacked a yacht carrying a Danish couple, their three children and two deckhands. The Denmark Foreign Ministry announced the 43-foot yacht named ING was seized last Thursday in the Indian Ocean about 186 miles off the coast of Somalia.

''Naturally, I am deeply concerned over the situation, especially as there are children involved, and I can only express my utter disdain for the pirates' actions,'' said Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen.

The children are 13, 15 and 17 years old. According to reports, the family was on an around-the-world voyage. They managed to send out an emergency call during the attack. A Danish warship was sent to the area of the hijacking. No other details were released.

Last week, Somali pirates killed four Americans after hijacking their yacht, the S/V Quest, on February 18. Quest owners Jean and Scott Adam along with their friends Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle were sailing off the coast of Oman when they were attacked and the Quest was seized. A U.S. Navy warship tracked the Quest until gunshots were heard on February 22. U.S. forces then boarded the Quest and captured 13 pirates. The Adams, Macay and Riggle all died of gunshot wounds.

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