Some crew members missing after Gulf of Guinea pirate attack

Pirates have abandoned a Danish-owned ship that was hijacked in the Gulf of Guinea last week, the vessel's owner says

Pirates have abandoned a Danish-owned ship that was hijacked in the Gulf of Guinea last week, and have taken some crew members with them, while others have been brought to safety, the vessel's owner said on Friday.

The Liberian-flagged oil and chemical tanker Monjasa Reformer was boarded by five armed people 140 miles west of the Republic of Congo's Port Pointe-Noire with 16 crew member, its owner said at the time.

The Reformer subsequently went missing, but was later located by the French navy off Sao Tome and Principe, shipping company Monjasa's owner said.

"Our thoughts are with the crew members still missing and their families during this stressful period. Monjasa will continue working closely with the local authorities to support our seafarers safe return to their families," the company said.

The rescued crew members are all in good health and are receiving proper attention in a secure environment, it added.

There was no damage reported to the ship or its cargo, Monjasa said.