Somali pirates attack Spanish ship<br/><br/>A Spanish fishing boat with a crew of 36 has been attacked by a gang of Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. Officials said the Alakrana was seized in waters between Somalia and the Seychelles. The European Union's anti-piracy naval force has begun an operation to make contact with the crew. The Alakrana sent a distress call to another Spanish fishing boat in the area, which then alerted the EU's anti-piracy force. The British-based EU anti-piracy organisation then confirmed the hijack, which took place some 360 nautical miles off the east coast of Somalia. After the alert was sent out, two military planes flew over the area and confirmed there were armed people on board the vessel. Spanish navy ships and a reconnaissance plane have been sent to the area. The Spanish government has formed a crisis committee to tackle the situation. First Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said the priority was preserving the safety of the crew.