The European Union's naval force against pirates said that a Chinese fishing boat was under the control of alleged piracy in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland area.

Anti-piracy forces said that pirates had taken over the vessel, which was carrying up to 18 crewmen. Some of them were armed with AK-47s or machine guns. The incident was classified as a robbery on sea.

The anti-piracy forces added that no crew members were injured.

Between 2008 and 2018, Somali pirates wrecked havoc off the Horn of Africa's long coast. Pirate activity had been largely dormant up until the end of last year, when it began to increase.

(source: Reuters)