ADEN, Yemen, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni Coast Guard said Saturday that an oil tanker was boarded and taken under control by unidentified armed individuals off the coast of Shabwa before being steered toward the Somali coast.
The pro-government Coast Guard troops confirmed in a brief statement that they had received a report earlier in the day regarding the hijacking of the tanker M/T EUREKA in waters off southern Yemen.
According to the statement, the attackers seized control of the vessel after boarding it and redirected its course into the Gulf of Aden.
"The tanker was subjected to an armed robbery by unknown individuals who managed to take control," the statement said, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Upon receiving the report, the Coast Guard initiated response procedures, dispatching two patrol boats from Aden and smaller vessels from Shabwa to conduct search-and-tracking operations.
The statement noted that the operation was being carried out despite "limited resources and exceptional circumstances," as efforts continue to locate the tanker and ensure the safety of its crew.
It added that coordination had been established with international partners and maritime security agencies operating in the Gulf of Aden, which helped identify the vessel's location.
The latest incident comes amid persistent maritime security concerns in waters south of Yemen, following repeated warnings from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Earlier in the day, the British agency reported a second "suspicious approach" involving unidentified boats targeting a commercial vessel within 24 hours, heightening alert levels along key shipping routes.
While no damage or casualties were reported in either case, the incidents underscore growing concerns over the safety of international shipping lanes, particularly as tensions in the Middle East continue and threats against vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait remain unresolved. Enditem
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