A Turkish-owned, Maltese-flagged tanker has been hijacked by pirates off the coast of Port-Gentil, Gabon.

The MV Cotton, had a crew of 20, all of them India.

The hijacking is believed to have happened on Sunday.

"The owners of the MV Cotton lost contact with the tanker late on Sunday," said the official, who wished to remain anonymous. "We believe it was captured by pirates in the region where such acts are common." 

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