- The Washington Times - Monday, February 4, 2013

A French oil tanker that’s fallen off radar is believed to have been hijacked by pirates off the Ivory Coast. The 17 sailors on board have been likely kidnapped, according to officials with the International Maritime Bureau, a piracy watchdog organization.

The tanker went missing Sunday after it was flagged in Luxembourg, The Associated Press reported.

This would be the third pirate attack in recent days. IMB spokesman Noel Choong told AP that a sailor was shot Monday during an attempted pirate hijacking off the coast of Lagos, Nigeria. And last week, Mr. Choong continued, pirates tried to take over another oil tanker traveling Nigeria’s coast.

Pirates seek the oil, worth millions.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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