site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian-Owned Ship Boarded near Yemeni Island on Thursday

A Malta-flagged, Bulgarian-owned bulk carrier was boarded on Thursday in the eastern Indian Ocean, Reuters said quoting British maritime security company Ambrey. Later on it emerged that the ship is Ruen with eight Bulgarians among its 18-member multinational crew.

Later on Friday, the ship’s owner, Navigation Maritime Bulgare (Navibulgar), confirmed that the vessel is under the hijackers’ control. Navibulgar said that there is reason to believe that there is currently no immediate threat to the crew. The company added that it works closely with all international organizations and partner services to ensure the safety of people on board. The families of the abducted seafarers have been informed of the situation and the company keeps in touch with them.

The incident was reported on December 14. It took place about 400 nautical miles east off Yemen's Socotra Island and about 700 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia.

The crew consists of eight Bulgarian sailors, nine from Myanmar and one from Angola.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel told reporters the Foreign Ministry had been informed about the hijacked ship and eight Bulgarians aboard. The information has been passed on to all partners and institutions on which Sofia will rely for assistance.

It is not clear yet if Yemen's Houthi rebels are behind the incident. The Galaxy Leader, whose captain and first mate are Bulgarian, was hijacked by Houthis in the Red Sea in November.