Audio By Carbonatix Somali pirates have hijacked an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen, according to multiple Somali security officials that spoke with the BBC. The Yemeni coastguard earlier said the tanker MT Eureka had been hijacked and was headed towards Somalia. Sources said it was overrun by pirates in the Gulf of Aden, near the port of Qana. The pirates departed a remote coastal area near the seaside town of Qandala, which sits on the Gulf of Aden, according to three separate security officials from the semi-autonomous Puntland region who spoke with the BBC. It marks the second hijacking of an oil tanker in the area in a 10-day period, following the hijacking of Honor 25 by Somali pirates on April 22. Honor 25 was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil bound for Mogadishu. MT Eureka was sailing on the flag of the west African nation of Togo prior to the hijacking and was overrun by the gunmen at 5:00 AM local time (03:00 BST) this morning, the security official went on to tell the BBC. It is now sailing in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and Somalia, and is expected to anchor in Somali waters in the coming hours. In a separate incident, the United Kingdom Maritime Transportation Operation (UKMTO) reported on Friday that "armed persons" on a "skiff" approached a bulk carrier near Al-Mukala, Yemen. Those armed persons departed a remote coastal area near the fishing town of Caluula (Alula), according to three separate security officials. Caluula is 209km (130 miles) from where hijackers departed to seize the MT Eureka. The two separate incidents indicate piracy is expanding across Somalia's vast coastline, which is the longest in mainland Africa at 3,333km (2071 miles). Today's hijacking marks the fourth successful pirate hijacking in two weeks. Somali authorities and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), which oversees anti piracy operations in Somali waters, are yet to address the latest hijacking. Somali piracy, which was on the decline since 2011, has surged again since late 2023, when Houthi rebels began attacking ships in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. The attacks forced international navies to instead tackle the Houthi threat, thus allowing armed groups on the Somali coast to take advantage of the security lapse. "The on-going crisis with the pirates is much worse than many realize. There are increasing movements (of armed groups) all over the coast" a security official from the semi-autonomous Puntland region told the BBC. DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Tags: Oil tanker DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Related to this story Body of drowned 20-year-old tanker attendant retrieved from Mpobi quarry pit Dangote Refinery makes Nigeria a net petrol exporter for the first time Oil, war and the limits of monetary policy Gov’t could lose nearly GH¢500m a month for every GH¢1 cut from fuel taxes Oil back above $100 as US to blockade Iranian ports after peace talks fail Ghana less exposed to global oil disruptions — Fitch Onasis Kobby slams erstwhile NPP govt for decline in Ghana’s oil production Oil prices rise as concerns grow over ‘fragile’ US-Iran ceasefire PIAC urges investment as oil production falls Libya announces new oil and gas discoveries with three major energy companies Latest Stories Barcelona move to within two points of La Liga title with Osasuna win1 hour World Relays: We can’t afford to miss out again” — Amenakpor rallies Ghana after relay setback1 hour Germany says US troop withdrawal ‘foreseeable’ as Nato seeks clarification2 hours Kingsford Boakye-Yiadom attracts interest from Man United, Brighton, Atletico Madrid, others after Everton exit3 hours Oil tanker hijacked off coast of Yemen and taken towards Somalia3 hours These twins were born within minutes of each other – but have different dads4 hours Black Princesses Coach Charles Sampson confident ahead of Uganda Qualifier5 hours Mahama announces 1,200MW gas-fired power plant to boost electricity supply5 hours We’ll publish the list of areas where ECG transformers will be replaced – John Jinapor5 hours 2026 Aboakyer Festival durbar held with beautiful tradition6 hours Ghana drawn with Brazil, Spain in crucial World Relays repechage race7 hours A nation that cannot employ its youth, cannot sustain peace – Kwamuhene urges urgent job creation7 hours Annoh-Dompreh elected Chairman of PAP Committee on Health, Social Work and Labour8 hours Swedru All Blacks stun Vision FC to ignite relegation battle8 hours World Cup 2026: Injuries to key players ahead of tournament worrying – Kurt Okraku8 hours