Spanish fishing company says ship was attacked by pirates in Indian Ocean, radio contact lost

Spanish boat attacked by pirates in Indian Ocean

MADRID — Pirates attacked a Spanish tuna trawler Friday in the Indian Ocean and contact with the vessel has been lost, the ship’s owner said.

Echebastar Fleet, based in Spain’s Basque region, said the ship Alakrana was carrying a crew of 36.

The ship sent out distress signals advising of a pirate attack and since then the company has not been able to communicate with Alakrana, the company said.

The Defense Ministry said it had no immediate information. Spanish military forces are taking part in an EU anti-piracy flotilla deployed in the Indian Ocean.

It was the second attack in less than a month against the Alakrana. On Sept. 4, while operating in waters off the Seychelles islands it dodged an attack by taking evasive action.