The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre issued an alert over the attack, warning ships in the area.

xDubai: Attackers firing machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades boarded a ship, en route to South Africa from India, off the coast of Somalia on Thursday, officials said, likely the latest assault by resurgent Somali pirates operating in the region.

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre issued an alert over the attack, warning ships in the area.

Maritime security firm, the Diaplous Group, said the attacked tanker had a crew of 24 mariners, all of whom reportedly locked themselves into the ship's citadel for safety during the attack. The vessel did not have an armed security team aboard it, the firm added.

Private securi

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