A Danish warship confirmed Monday that a Japanese-owned cargo ship was hijacked Sunday off the coast of East Africa, by Somali pirates.
The MV Izumi, which is registered in Panama, was carrying steel materials from Japan to Mombasa, Kenya, when it was seized just an hour or two from its destination.
An S.O.S. distress signal was sent Sunday, reaching its Japanese owner-operators at Tokyo-based NYK-Hinode Line Ltd., a unit of Nippon Yussen K.K.
About 20 of its crewmen are Filipinos whose safety has not yet been confirmed.
A Danish warship from the European Union Naval Force made contact Monday with the Izumi’s captain, who confirmed that the ship was seized by Somali pirates.
