Somali Pirates Seize Spanish Boat Off African Coast

NAIROBI, Kenya — Spain dispatched a warship and called for NATO help yesterday after a band of Somali pirates boarded a Spanish fishing boat off the African coast and took the crew hostage. The Playa de Bakio was fishing for tuna about 250 miles off Somalia when it was attacked with grenade launchers at around 1pm on Sunday and boarded by four men.

It is thought that the vessel was damaged, but yesterday afternoon it appeared to be heading for land. Spanish press and broadcast outlets, citing government sources, reported that the boat was bound for the Somali town of Gaan, about 30 miles from the southern town of Obbia.

Its 26 crew members, among them 13 Spaniards and 13 African nationals, are believed to be unharmed.

"I am the captain of the boat ... we are all well and there is no problem, for the moment there is no problem," said Amadeo Alvarez, 55, the Galician skipper, speaking to Spanish national radio. He was interrupted by a man who identified himself as a member of a "Somalia militia" and said in broken English that there would be no problems if their demands were met.