At least two Russian citizens have been kidnapped from ships in Equatorial Guinea, the Russian Embassy in Cameroon said in a preliminary report.
The ship Djibloho was attacked by pirates in the port city of Luba. In the meantime, there was a separate assault on another ship, Rio Mitong, in the capital city of Malabo, where at least two people were injured and one Russian citizen also kidnapped as a result of the incident, the Russian Embassy stated.
"According to preliminary data, two Russian nationals were kidnapped in the port of Luba. The circumstances and names of the abducted nationals are still being clarified by the competent authorities of the country", the spokesman said when asked about the situation regaring the Djibloho.
There is currently no communication with the kidnappers, the officials said, adding that the pirates have so far issued no demands.
The statement comes after maritime security monitor Dryad Global reported pirate activity in the area earlier in the day.
"The perpetrators are believed to have used ladders to board the vessel resulting in the kidnap of two crew members believed to be one Russian and one Ukrainian", Dryad Global said, addressing the attack on the Rio Mitong.
West Africa is considered to be a high-risk region for shipping due to regular pirate attacks. Last year, similar incidents occurred off the coasts of Benin, Togo, and Nigeria.