China sends warship to escort cargo attacked by pirates

BEIJING - China has reportedly sent three warships to escort a Chinese cargo ship, which was attacked earlier by pirates in the Arabian Sea near Oman, according to the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center (CMSRC).

According to Xinhua, the centre said the 21-member crew hid in a safety compartment on board the Taishankou when pirates boarded the ship on Saturday.

The Taishankou called the centre for help on Saturday and Chinese ships assigned to escort duty in the Gulf of Aden joined the cargo ship on Sunday, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the CMSRC has advised vessels to pay more attention to safety since the area reported a recent increase in pirate attacks.

The attack came after another Chinese ship, the Lecong, was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean Thursday. One of the 26 crewmembers aboard was injured during a battle with the pirates.

The Lecong is now sailing toward Oman under the escort of a Chinese warship. (ANI)