A Chinese fishing vessel with up to 18 crew members has been seized by suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia, reports CNN, citing a European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta said from Dec. 5.

The attackers, reportedly armed with AK-47s and machine guns, took control of the vessel in what was described as a robbery at sea. The crew remains unharmed, according to the EU body.

Police first flagged the incident in Somalia's Puntland region, which alerted the EU to the alleged hijacking. China has not yet issued an official response.

On Dec. 7, the Somali pirates who hijacked the fishing boat demanded a ransom payment for the vessel and its 18 crew members, according to local police, Club of Mozambique reported. The pirates, who had initially been hired to provide protection for the vessel, later turned on the crew, reinforcing their numbers with additional pirates, reported All Africa. A local elder said to All Africa that a Somali company acting on behalf of the boat's owners had offered a ransom of $300,000. However, the pirates rejected the offer, according to All Africa.

The attack occurred in a region critical to international shipping, close to major trade routes through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. Attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial shipping in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel's war in Gaza have partially diluted the attention of international naval forces in the region.

The incident highlights a resurgence in piracy in the area. Operation Atalanta recorded 19 incidents this year, the highest number since 2012.

China has been conducting anti-piracy operations near the Gulf of Aden since 2008, reflecting its expanding naval presence and efforts to safeguard economic interests. Since 2017, China has also operated its only overseas military base in Djibouti, also in the Horn of Africa.

Operation Atalanta remains in contact with Somali and Chinese authorities regarding the situation.