12 pirates on board hijacked MV Abdullah, says EU naval force

European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) has confirmed the presence of 12 pirates on the hijacked Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah in the Indian Ocean.

EUNAVFOR is conducting operations called Operation Atlanta in this area of the sea. Operation Atlanta is keeping an eye on the Bangladeshi commercial ship. The vessel's current position is approximately 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, according to a notification published on its website at night.

"The situation on board is that pirates have seized and taken its 23-member crew hostage," the statement said.

"The crew is safe, and the action is still ongoing,” the statement read.

EU Navy finds three possible pirate bases off Somali coast. Robbery is being conducted from these bases.

Operation Atlanta is in close contact with Bangladesh and Somali authorities in this incident.

Earlier on March 4, carrying coal from Mozambique's Maputo port, Bangladesh's ship MV Abdullah started its journey for the United Arab Emirates. Later, the ship was hijacked by pirates around 1:30pm on Tuesday.