Pirates Hijack Seychelles Tourist Boat

The hijacking in the Indian Ocean of a luxury yacht regularly used by British holidaymakers has raised fears that pirates are increasingly targeting tourists.

The Indian Ocean Explorer was seized off the Seychelles just hours after a group of holidaymakers had left the boat. It is believed to have been taken to the Somali coast.

Fergus Cochrane-Dyet, British High Commissioner to the Seychelles, said: "The Indian Ocean Explorer has been seized by pirates about 600 miles west of the capital (Mahe).

"As far as we know there were no foreign nationals on board."

London-based Aquatours, a specialist diving operator that hires the Indian Ocean Explorer said all its clients had left the boat, though there were still crew onboard at the time of its capture.

An international naval force, including ships from the Royal Navy, has been patrolling the waters close to Somalia since January, after more than 100 vessels were hijacked there last year.

As a result, pirates have ventured further into the Indian Ocean. Pirates demand ransoms for the captured ships.

Only last month, a British tourist was killed by three Burmese pirates who hijacked his boat off the coast of Thailand.

Insurewithease includes automatic cover for hijacking with its standard travel insurance.

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