Three Chinese nationals suspected of being kidnapped off Ghana’s coast are safe, China’s foreign ministry confirmed on Monday, without providing further details.
Ghanaian authorities had launched an investigation into what they described as a “suspected pirate attack” on a Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel, which resulted in the disappearance of three Chinese crew members.
According to Ghana’s armed forces, the incident occurred on Thursday evening when seven armed individuals boarded the vessel and fired warning shots, forcing several crew members to take cover in a secure area. The intruders remained on board for approximately three hours, gathering all crew members on deck and confiscating their phones before departing. It was only after their exit that the crew realized three members were missing.
The vessel, MENGXIN 1, has since docked safely.
Piracy remains a persistent threat in the Gulf of Guinea, a region notorious for maritime hijackings and attacks. Over the years, watchdogs have reported that many Chinese fishing vessels operate under Ghanaian flags to gain access to the country’s waters.
China’s foreign ministry reassured that all crew members were safe and pledged continued cooperation with Ghana to protect Chinese citizens and institutions in the country.
“China will continue to work with Ghana to effectively safeguard the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Ghana,” ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated.
