France captures 22 suspected pirates off Somalia
LA Times/AP
March 6, 2010
This image issued by EU NAVFOR shows the French warship FS Nivose with Somali pirate skiffs off the Somali coast. (Associated Press / March 5, 2010)
PARIS - France's Defense Ministry says a French frigate involved in an EU anti-piracy mission off Somalia has detained 22 suspected pirates from six separate boats in the Indian Ocean.
The "Nivose" first captured 11 people from a "mother boat" and two accompanying skiffs about 180 nautical miles east of Mogadishu by tracking them after they tried to attack a French oceanographic vessel.
Hours later, the frigate "neutralized" three other suspected pirate boats about 90 nautical miles to the south.
The ministry statement late Friday said the suspects were being held on board the Nivose.
EU naval authorities say they are bracing for more high-seas attacks with the end of the monsoon season in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.