Chinese sailors safe after evading pirate attack: IMB

KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese sailors reported missing after their vessel was attacked off Somalia are now safe after coalition forces helped them repel the pirates, a maritime watchdog said on Wednesday.

"The pirates boarded the ship but the Chinese seafarers prevented the pirates from going into their accommodation for several hours," said Noel Choong, head of the International Maritime Bureau piracy reporting centre.

"Because of this action, the military helicopters came and they managed to chase the pirates away. The pirates on board eventually left the ship and the master is proceeding on his course," he told AFP.

Chinese state media had reported that 30 Chinese sailors were missing after the attack in the Gulf of Aden on the vessel "Zhenhua 4", owned by China Communications Construction Co.