Minister confirms captured ship is in hands of pirates
Fishing vessel carrying two Spaniards on board has been out of contact for 11 days
Defence Minister Carme Chacón on Thursday stated that the captured fishing vessel Vega V, sailing under the Mozambique flag in the Indian Ocean and with two Spaniards aboard, is in pirate hands, something her ministry had not yet confirmed.
In her speech at the annual January 6 military parade the minister referred to piracy as a persisting problem, "as the 28 ships and their 650 crew members affected can attest; among them two Spaniards, whose quick return we are hoping for."
Though she did not use the word "hijack," the reference made the boat's situation clear.
The ship's location was lost 11 days ago with no reliable news of the 24-strong crew heard since.
