The 2006-built capesize bulk carrier Lila Norfolk was boarded on the 4 January by six armed gunmen while underway in waters roughly 460 miles off the coast of Somalia. The Indian warship INS Chennai and an accompanying naval aircraft were deployed to assist the 170 000 DWT vessel, managing to establish contact on the 5 January.
The Indian Navy later announced that 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, were rescued and that it had not found any pirates on board after the vessel was intercepted.
In a statement released on the 5 January, Chief Executive Officer of Lila Global, Steve Kunzer stated: "We are pleased to advise that the crew of Lila Norfolk have been successfully rescued by the Indian Navy vessel INS Chennai and the vessel and crew are all safe. We want to thank the Agencies that assisted in their rescue in particular the Indian Navy, Capt Rohit Bajpai, Director IFC-IOR and the officials of DG Shipping. We also want to thank the professionalism of our crew who reacted safely and responsibly under the circumstances."
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