Armed pirate attacks in a busy shipping route off Indonesia have surged in recent weeks, an international maritime watchdog warned Wednesday, urging ship owners and crew to stay vigilant.Nine incidents have been reported near the island Pulau Mangkai since August 16, the Singapore-based Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia said. The pirates, armed with knives and, in some cases guns, escaped with cash, mobile phones, laptops and other personal items, it said.
Crew members sustained some minor injuries in three incidents. Between April and September, 16 incidents were reported off Pulau Mangkai, compared to 11 from April to November last year, it said. The watchdog urged authorities of the littoral countries to increase surveillance and patrols in the area.
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