Spike in attacks off Somali coast doubles global piracy cases

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Pirate attacks around the world have nearly doubled in the quarter through March, mainly due to increased pirate raids off the coast of Somalia.

The International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting centre in Malaysia said on Tuesday that the number of attacks surged to 102 in the first quarter compared to 53 incidents last year.

The figure marked a 20 per cent increase from the previous quarter.

Ships were boarded in 34 cases and nine vessels were hijacked, with 178 crew taken hostage, nine injured and two killed, it said in its quarterly report.