14 Kenyans were among a crew of sailors stranded in the Indian Ocean waters after a trawler they were sailing in, sank off the Coast of Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland.
The fishing vessel, christened Al Amal, which was flying North Korean flag is suspected to have been conducting illegal fishing in the Somali waters.
Other crew members aboard the fishing vessel comprise 6 Vietnamese, 12 Indonesians, 2 Yemenis and private security guards, the Standard reports.
According to Maritime consultant Andrew Mwangura, the vessel developed mechanical problems while in the high seas and run aground on Wednesday, upon approaching Hobyo while underway heading to Mombasa from Yemen.
Puntland's Marine Forces managed to reach the scene after few hours, with the coast guards investigating reasons behind the sinking of the vessel.
Reports indicate that Somalia loses more than $200 million per year because of illegal fishing.
Officials in northern Somali region of Puntland claim that there are up to 180 illegal Iranian and 300 illegal Yemeni vessels fishing Puntland waters, as well as a small number of Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and European-owned vessels.
