Pirate Hostages Brace for Christmas at Sea

More than 260 remain off Somalia's coast in 14 hijacked vessels
By Ambreen Ali,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 24, 2008 1:49 PM CST
Pirate Hostages Brace for Christmas at Sea
Pirates leave the Ukrainian merchant vessel MV Faina for Somalia's shore in October.   (AP Photo)

More than 260 hostages will spend Christmas with pirates off Somalia’s coast, CNN reports. At least 14 vessels remain in pirate custody as a tumultuous year—with nearly 100 attacks on cargo ships, oil tankers, and yachts—nears its end. The EU, China, and Iran have stationed naval vessels in the Gulf of Aden, and some Europe-bound cargo has been rerouted around the African continent instead. (More Somalia stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X