Yacht hijacked by pirates near Seychelles islands

[April 02, 2009]  NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Two Kenya-based diplomats say a yacht and its crew of seven has been hijacked by pirates near the Seychelles islands off Africa's east coast.

The two separately say the Indian Ocean Explorer was hijacked by pirates on Wednesday. Both diplomats spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media. One diplomat said the boat was returning from a trip to nearby islands when it was taken. All seven people on board were from the Seychelles, he said.

It was not immediately clear who seized the ship.

Somali pirates are common in the Gulf of Aden. But analysts say an increase in foreign warships patrolling the area has forced pirates to shift their operations east into the Indian Ocean, toward the Seychelles.

[Associated Press; By KATHARINE HOURELD]

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