Modern Day Pirates Increase Attacks

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Modern Day Pirates Increase Attacks

Three months ago the Japanese-owned but Korean-operated cargo vessel, Tenyu, disappeared, crew and all, without a trace in the Malacca Straights. It was finally located operating under an assumed name in China on December 21, another victim of modern day pirates. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) revealed that the number of vessels hit by pirates reached 143 on the year.
The Korean skipper and chief engineer along with the other 12 crew members are still missing but at this late date are presumed dead. Another incident similar to the Tenyu's was particularly viscious as 26 were killed and 20 injured during an attack. Additionally, 108 fishermen were kidnapped and nobody has yet confirmed whether or not they are alive.
The number of vessel hijacking incidents increased from 56 in 1994 to 259 in 1996 and 292 in 1997. Pirates attack mainly ships sailing the route from China-Hong Kong-Malaysia-Singapore.
The number of Korean vessels attacked by pirates increased from three in 1994 to six in 1996.
The hijackers are usually armed with machine guns and rockets. In 1995, 129 passengers aboard a cruise ship sailing from Macao to Hong Kong were robbed of all their jewelry and money by pirates.
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