Children on Sailboat Hijacked by Pirates

Danish family captured in Indian Ocean
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 1, 2011 12:46 AM CST
Children on Sailboat Hijacked by Pirates
A French helicopter flies over Somali pirate skiffs off the Somali coast.   (AP Photo/EU NAVFOR)

Somali pirates have seized child hostages for what is believed to be the first time. The three children aged 12 to 16 were aboard a Danish sailboat hijacked as it crossed the Indian Ocean, AP reports. Their parents and two Danish crew members were also captured. Danish officials say the ship sent a distress signal on Thursday and they have now confirmed that it was hijacked by pirates. Officials say they are doing everything in their power to help the captives, although they won't be releasing detailed information on their efforts. (More pirates stories.)

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