New kidnapping in the Gulf of Guinea
Reports indicate that the F/V Iris S has been attacked 108nm south of Cotonou and five crew have been kidnapped.
Dryad Global reports that five crew have been kidnapped from the 62m x 12m fishing vessel, Iris S (IMO8210493), by armed men operating from two speedboats.
The attack happened at 04° 33.8 N 002° 32,2 E, 1930UTC, approximately 108nm south of Cotonou. Dryad says the source confidence level is high.
The pirates are understood to have stolen the personal effects of the crew and abducted the following individuals: Captain- S. Korean, Chief Officer- S. Korean, Second Officer – S. Korean, Chief Engineer – S. Korean, Engineer – Filipino.
The attack comes after a recent threat warning from MDAT-GoG that indicates a heightened threat level in the following areas: 05°00’N – 002°30’E, 05°00’N – 005°00’E, 02°30’N – 005°00’E, 02°30’N – 002°30’E.
There have been 61 personnel kidnapped across 6 incidents from vessels operating within the Gulf of Guinea this year alone.
