Somali Pirates Capture 16 Bulgarian Sailors

Somali pirates are currently holding at least 15 vessels with some 250 crew members. Photo by BGNES

Somali pirates have hijacked a British-owned cargo ship with sixteen Bulgarian sailors aboard, Bulgarian officials announced.

The 32,000-tonne Malaspina Castle, which flies a Panamanian flag, was taken on Monday morning in the Gulf of Aden, according to reports of the Times.

She was the fifth ship snatched in two days off the Somali coast despite naval patrols along main shipping lanes.

The vessel has a crew of 24, from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and the Philippines. All are believed to be in good health condition.

Somalia's pirates had been having a quiet year after their bumper haul in 2008, when they took almost 50 vessels.

Pirates are currently holding at least 15 vessels with some 250 crew members.