By RFIPubliée on 16-08-2019Modified on 16-08-2019 at 20:40
Seventeen sailors, nine Chinese and eight Ukrainians, were kidnapped by pirates off Cameroon. The attack on the two merchant ships took place Thursday, August 15 in the territorial waters of Cameroon. New proof that the Gulf of Guinea is one of the most dangerous maritime areas in the world.
The two boats were at anchor off Douala, according to the information center on piracy joined by AFP, when the two attacks took place, a few hours apart.
On the first merchant ship belonging to a German company, eight Ukrainians out of the twelve crew members were kidnapped. On the other Greek-owned ship, nine Chinese were kidnapped.
Nigerian pirates suspected
Nigerian pirates, particularly active in the area, are suspected by the Cameroonian authorities. Since Douala and Cotonou (Benin), research has been launched and the International Maritime Bureau has issued an alert for all vessels anchoring in Douala to redouble their attention.
The area has become the epicenter of global maritime piracy. The attacks have doubled since 2017. They are usually used to obtain a ransom in exchange for the release of sailors. Like those Turkish sailors released a week ago, after being kidnapped mid-July.
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