Eighteen Indian crewmen kidnapped by pirates near Nigeria

Eighteen Indian nationals have been kidnapped in onboard a very large crude carrier while it was transiting through Nigeria.

The attack on the Hong Kong-flagged vessel took place 66 nautical miles south of Nigeria's Bonny Offshore Terminal at around 19:20 UTC.

The pirates managed to board the vessel and kidnap 19 crew members before escaping. The 19 seafarers are comprised of 18 Indian nationals and one Turkish national.

The vessel is now said to be safe and under the escort of the Nigerian Navy. The whereabouts and details of crew members are yet to be ascertained.

No group has said it carried out the kidnapping. 

(With inputs from ANI)