in a suspected act of piracy. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised the threat level in the area to "substantial" as it reported "unauthorised persons" seized the vessel and re-directed it to Somalia's territorial waters on Sunday. At least four vessels have been targeted in suspected piracy incidents in the last week including a fishing vessel and oil tanker. Until three years ago piracy had almost disappeared in this stretch of the Indian Ocean once notorious for hijackings, but it has since made a comeback. "Due to the increased threat of possible PAG (Pirate Action Group) activity, vessels are advised to transit with caution," the UKMTO said in a statement, noting that weather is conducive to small boat operations. The hijacking on Sunday occurred six nautical miles off Garacad, Somalia, the UKMTO said in a statement. No further details were reported. (BBC)