U.S. Owned Tugboat Reportedly Hijacked by Somali Pirates, 16 Crew Held Hostage

A U.S.-owned tugboat sailing under an Italian flag has reportedly been hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden, the second such incident involving Americans in less than a week.

While the U.S. and Italian governments have not confirmed the hijacking it is believed the boat, carrying 16-crew members, had been towing two barges when the pirates struck. There has been word on the nationalities of the crew or the demands made by the pirates.

Earlier this week the Dutch-owned Maersk Alabama was hijacked by Somali pirates while it was passing through the Indian Ocean. The 20-member US crew managed to regain control of the vessel but at least four pirates managed to escape with the ship’s captain, Richard Phillips.

Talks to secure Phillips’ release are still underway as he remains held in a lifeboat. Pirates have warned that any attempts to use force to free him could end in disaster.

It is believed that the pirates are trying to move Phillips from the life boat to a larger vessel. There have been reports that suggest the pirates are asking for $2 million to free Phillips as well as compensation for a boat that was destroyed in their attack on the Maersk Alabama on Wednesday.

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