Pirates have attacked an oil tanker off the coast of West Africa killing a Ukrainian. The pirates who are believed to come from Nigeria attacked the vessel 18 nautical miles (33km) off the coast of Benin.

The Benin Naval forces Commander Fernand Maxime Ahoyo confirmed the killing of the chief engineer of the vessel and another member of the crew who sustained wounds, This Day newspaper reported.

Ahoyo according to the report said the rest of the crew on the Monrovia-flagged vessel has been rescued safely among them Filipinos, Lithuanians and Ukranians.

Piracy has become a booming business in East Africa for mostly unemployed youths.  Africa's Gulf of Guinea nations have been struggling with mounting threats from piracy and kidnappings in the area, home to myriad rebel groups and smugglers.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said they have recorded over 100 incidents in the last one year alone in West Africa and the act is on the increase.

Source: Africa News/Reuters

Photo: 10b travelling (Flickr CC)