NAIROBI (Reuters) - Somali pirates have seized a small yacht carrying a German family and French captain as well as a cargo ship off the lawless Horn of Africa nation's coast, an official said on Tuesday.
The pirates have held the German family of three and their French captain since June 23, said Andrew Mwangura, director of the Seafarers Assistance Program, in a statement.
"The child is said to have contracted malaria and the dad is diabetic and has no access to insulin," the statement said.
A Japanese-managed bulk vessel, the MV Stella Maris, was hijacked on Sunday morning, Mwangura said.
"The ill-fated vessel is owned by Turtle Marine Shipping and she is managed by MMS Company of Japan ... her crew size and their nationality are not yet known," he said.
Piracy is common off the coast of Somalia. The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution in June that gave some countries the right to conduct anti-piracy operations in Somali waters after a spate of hijackings.
(Editing by Jack Kimball) (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: africa.reuters.com/)
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNew ... 0620080722
