Pirates from Somalia who hijacked a Chinese bulk carrier in the Indian Ocean threatened Tuesday to execute its 25 Chinese crew members if any rescue operation was attempted. The De Xin Hai was carrying about 76,000 tons of coal from South Africa to India when it was seized by gunmen on Monday some 700 nautical miles east of the failed Horn of Africa state. “We tell China not to endanger the lives of their people with any rescue operation,” Hassan, an associate of the gang, told Reuters by phone from the pirate stronghold Haradheere. “If they try that we will execute the whole crew ... we tell them to change their mind regarding any rescue, otherwise they will regret it. We know what they are planning to do.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told reporters earlier in Beijing that his government had “actively started rescue operations” for the ship, but declined to give details. Observers said they expected a diplomatic resolution. Indian coal traders feared Monday's incident – the first reported hijacking of a coal vessel by Somali pirates – could mean the gunmen would start targeting other coal ships as these dry bulk vessels are smaller and have a relatively small crew. That could disrupt an expected increase in the volume of South African coal heading to India over the coming months, following a boom in Indian demand during the past two years. The EU's counter-piracy force said an EU maritime patrol aircraft had located the vessel Monday. “The aircraft spotted at least four pirates on the deck and the vessel is towing two skiffs,” it said.
