Greek Tanker Hijacked Near Somalia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - A maritime official says a Greek chemical tanker with 20 crew members has been hijacked by armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia.

Noel Choong of the International Maritime Bureau says the ship was sailing from Southeast Asia to the Suez Canal when it was seized late Friday.

He says this brings the number of attacks this year in Somali waters to 69, with pirates raiding ships off eastern Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden flanking the country's northern coast despite U.S.-led patrols.

He says a total of 27 ships have been hijacked in the attacks, and 11 remain in the hands of the pirates along with more than 200 crew members.