( CNN ) -- Pirates have hijacked two European-owned chemical tankers off the coast of Somalia in the past 24 hours , the European Union Maritime Security Center said Thursday . The 23,000-ton Norwegian-owned and Bahamian-registered M/V Bow-Asir was captured 250 miles east of the southern Somali city Kismayo on Thursday morning , the security center said in a release . The M/V Nipayia , a 9,000-ton Greek-owned and Panamanian-registered vessel with 19 crew members , was attacked approximately 450 miles east of Kismayo on Wednesday afternoon , the security center said . Officials have issued an alert site notifying all vessels in the area to be aware of the increase in pirate activity .
Pirates hijack two European-owned chemical tankers off the coast of Somalia . 23,000-ton Norwegian-owned M/V Bow-Asir captured . M/V Nipayia , a 9,000-ton Greek-owned vessel also seized .