Pirates kidnap four tourists off coast of Somalia: officials

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

MOGADISHU (AFP) — Pirates kidnapped four foreign tourists, including a woman and a child, while they were sailing off the coast of Somalia's northern Puntland region, officials said Tuesday.

The four, whose identities were not immediately clear, were seized on Monday near the coastal town of Lasqorey, Puntland senior presidential adviser Bile Mohamoud Qabowsade told AFP.

"They were four tourists -- two men, a woman and a child. They were taken by pirates after they came close to the coastal area and we are trying to trace them by deploying our forces around the area," he said.

The official said the foreigners were taking pictures from their small yacht when the pirates snatched them, took them ashore and spirited them away into the neighbouring mountains....