Pirates fire grenades and board vessel off Somali coast

Attackers have boarded a ship off the coast of Somalia after firing machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades at the vessel, according to a UK maritime agency.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued an alert about the attack, which it said happened about 560 nautical miles south-east of the Somali town of Eyl.

Private security firm Ambrey said the incident was probably carried out by Somali pirates, who have been active in the region in recent days.

The attack targeted a Malta-flagged vessel en route from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa.

"The Master of a vessel has reported being approached by one small craft on its stern. The small craft fired small arms and RPGs towards the vessel," UKMTO said in a statement.

The attack comes amid a resurgence of piracy in the region, which had declined after peaking more than a decade ago.

There were at least seven reported incidents last year, and several fishing vessels have already been seized by pirates this year, according to the International Maritime Bureau.