Pirates hijack cargo ship

NAIROBI, Kenya -- The European Union's anti-piracy force said a Thai-owned cargo ship has been hijacked in the Arabian Sea.

The EU force said Somali pirates hijacked the MV Thor Nexus early Saturday about 450 nautical miles northeast of Yemen's island of Socorta.

The MV Thor Nexus was headed to Bangladesh after leaving the United Arab Emirates, the EU force said in a statement. There are 27 crew members, all Thai, on board the ship, it said.

Saturday's hijacking brings to 25 the vessels held by Somali pirates, the EU force said. The pirates are also holding about 601 crew members.

Somali pirates are able to operate because of Somalia's lawlessness. The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government for 19 years.