MOSCOW

Three Russian nationals were seized in an attack against a Danish cargo ship off the coast of Cameroon, Russia’s foreign ministry said Friday.

"On August 15, near the port Douala, unknowns attacked a cargo Marmalaita, which was sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda,” it said in a statement published on its website. “According to the information of the recruiting agency 'Marlow Navigation Russia', basing in Saint Petersburg, the raiders have seized 8 crew members, among them - three Russian nationals."

Cameroon authorities and representatives of the cargo company are investigating the incident.

Russian diplomats are working with Cameroon officials and the owner, Ultrabulk, to accelerate the process of the release of the Russian citizens, the ministry said.

In 2013, British Ester C vessel was captured by pirates in the area. Three Russians spent 31 days in captivity before being freed without ransom.