Pirates Hijack Aid for Somalia

Pirates hijacked a ship carrying relief supplies for Somalian survivors of the tsunami, demanding a $500,000 (£279,000) ransom to free the crew.

The MV Semlow was sailing in shallow waters 190 miles north-east of Mogadishu yesterday when it was boarded by gunmen who took the 10 crew members hostage.

The ship, carrying 850 tonnes of rice, was sailing in waters notorious for piracy.

The crew of the Semlow, a Sri Lankan captain, Tanzanian engineer and eight Kenyans, are understood to be safe. The ship was last night three miles off the coast of Somalia with the cargo still on board.

It was carrying enough food to supply tsunami survivors for two months.

"The hijackers are asking for $500,000, but we've told them we're just a small boat with relief cargo to feed your Somali people," said Inayet Kudrati, director of the Mombasa-based agency which leased the ship to the UN's world food programme.

The UN estimates the livelihoods of around 28,000 Somalis were devastated when the tidal wave wrecked their fishing villages.

WFP spokeswoman Rene McGuffin said: "We are working with the local authorities and elders, trying to get the message across to the hijackers that this is food aid intended for Somalia, perhaps for their loved ones or distant relatives."