Workers from an Israeli security firm thwarted attempts by Somalian pirates on Saturday night to hijack an Italian pleasure cruiser with its 1,500 passengers, within the Indian Ocean.

The ship’s commander, Ciro Pinto, said that six pirates on a motorized raft approached the ocean liner, Melody, while it was cruising about 290 km. north of the Seychelles Islands and about 500 miles (800 km) east of Somalia. The pirates attempted to climb onboard with a ladder and even opened fire, lightly damaging the hull. However, none of the passengers or crewmembers were hurt.

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