Russia captures pirate vessel

A Russian warship has seized a pirate vessel with 29 people on board off the Somali coast.



According to Russian news reports, guns and navigation equipment were found during a search of the pirate boat.



Officials say the suspected pirates were thought to have launched two unsuccessful attacks against a tanker with a Russian crew.



Russia is one of the countries that have deployed naval ships against pirates operating in the area.



The International Maritime Bureau says Somali pirates have hijacked 25 vessels since the beginning of this year.