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Maputo — The Mozambican fishing vessel, the "Vega 5", seized by Somali pirates last Friday, has been located in the Mozambique Channel heading north, and thus away from its home port of Beira.

Despite the unambiguous statement on Saturday, by the European Naval Force for Somalia (EUNAVFOR), that the "Vega 5" was in pirate hands, the Mozambican government still refuses to confirm this formally.

Dishonestly, Tuesday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias" alleges that the claims of pirates seizing the "Vega 5" were made by "some news agencies", whereas in fact the announcement was made by EUNAVFOR.

Deputy Fisheries Minister Gabriel Muthisse confirmed that the ship has been seen moving northwards, and is probably now outside of Mozambican waters. He guaranteed that the situation is being monitored by the Mozambican authorities and other countries in the region. All care was being taken to protect the lives of the 24 crew members (19 Mozambicans, three Indonesians and two Spaniards).

"Our concerns about the lives of the crew are valid for any case, regardless of whether this is a hijack or any other situation", said Muthisse. "In fact, if it is a hijack, it must be handled very carefully, since these people are unpredictable".

It is hard to imagine that anything other than a pirate attack, would cut off all communication between the "Vega 5" and the outside world, and would lead the ship to head north, away from the Mozambican ports.

The "Vega 5" is operated by a Spanish-Mozambican company, Pescamar. The Spanish partner in this venture, Pescanova, said on Monday that the ship is now under constant surveillance.

Any idea that Somali pirates do not attack fishing vessels should have been laid to rest on Sunday, when a Madagascan fishing vessel limped into the port of Beira. This ship, with a crew of 11 (nine Madagascans, an Italian and a citizen of the Seychelles), was seized on 27 December - but the pirates then abandoned it when it ran out of fuel.

The pirates seized everything of value from the crew members, then departed in their launches after it became clear that they would be unable to obtain a ransom.

The crew of the drifting ship hoisted sails, and steered their way to Beira, arriving there at around midday on Sunday.