Somali pirates seize second ship

The Semlow was taking aid for victims of the tsunami

Somali pirates, who have been holding a ship carrying food aid since June, have used it to board a second boat.

The Ibnu Batuta was carrying cement from Egypt when it was attacked near the port of El-Maan, near Mogadishu.

The pirates sailed away from El-Maan on Thursday after reportedly reneging on a deal to release the first ship, along with its food and crew.

The UN-chartered MV Semlow was carrying aid for Somali victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, when it was seized.

Abdi Rahman Kariin Olow, a prominent Mogadishu-based businessman, who owns part of the cement shipment, told the BBC that he had been contacted by the hijackers.

"The hijackers let us speak with the captain of the vessel, who also confirmed that they were taken hostages," he said.

Dangerous waters

It was not clear how many crew were on board or where they came from.

Residents of Haradere, north of El-Maan, said both ships could be seen in the distance.

The MV Semlow sailed to El-Maan a week ago after an agreement had been reached.

But as the port authorities prepared to unload the cargo of 850 tons of rice, the pirates made new demands.

The pirates had initially demanded $500,000 in ransom, but the World Food Programme says no money was paid.

The crew comprises eight Kenyans, a Tanzanian and their Sri Lankan captain.

The ship was captured off Haradere, north of Mogadishu, after sailing from Mombasa in Kenya.

Somalia has had no functioning national government since 1991 and the country has been divided into fiefdoms run by rival warlords.

The International Maritime Board has warned of an alarming increase in piracy in Somali waters and has urged ships to avoid the area.

Last month, three smaller fishing vessels were hijacked by gunman off the southern port town of Kismayo and some 40 crew members are being held hostage.