Oil tanker missing with 22 Indian crew members
An oil tanker with 22 Indian crew members missing off the coast of Benin, West Africa, has sparked fears it may have been hijacked by pirates.
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Last known location of oil tanker. Graphic:mid-day |
The Marine Express tanker went missing off the coast of Benin in the Gulf of Guinea on February 1. The ship is owned by Hong Kong-based shipping company Anglo Eastern. The company said its top priority was the safety of its crew.
India is in touch with authorities in Nigeria and Benin today to ascertain the location of the ship and its crew. Raveesh Kumar, pA 24/7 hotline has been set up by the Indian embassy in Nigeria to provide information on missing persons, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said.
This is the second ship to go missing in the area in the past month.The MT Barret was attacked by pirates in January, but the crew, mostly Indians, were released after a ransom was paid, according to reports.Hindustan TimesMany people fear a similar incident will happen to the Marine Express.
Nigerian authorities have asked all ships to report if they spot the missing oil tanker.
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