Tanker foils pirate attack

Greek authorities say the crew of a Greek tanker carrying oil to China has fought off a pirate attack in the Arabian Sea.

The coast guard said the Greek-flagged Sikinos, with a crew of 24, came under automatic gunfire from pirates about 800km southeast of Oman.

The crew fired flares and used high-pressure water hoses to repel the attack.

The coast guard said the 16 Filipino and eight Greek seamen on board were unhurt, and the vessel was continuing its course for China.