Pirates escape with 1.5 million litres of diesel

SONGKHLA: Armed pirates struck a Thai tanker ship in the waters off Pahang and escaped with 1.5 million litres of diesel.

The loot taken at 9pm on Friday was part of 3.8 million litres of fuel which tanker CP14 was ferrying from Songkhla to Singapore.

The pirates, believed to number between six and seven, and armed with guns and knives, tied up the captain and crew members after damaging the ship’s security alert system.

Following the incident, the 17 crew members of the tanker ship continued to sail to Thailand before arriving in Songkhla waters on Sunday evening, said the Commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s Naval Region 2, Admiral Pornchai Pinthongtold, yesterday.

“Nevertheless, none of the crew members were harmed,” he said, adding the Malaysian authorities had been informed.

The navy has also requested ships to be on the alert when sailing in these waters due to the threat of piracy.