US ship detained by Venezuela

The government said the Venezuelan actions in the disputed Essequibo region constituted "a serious threat to peace in the region".

The ship belongs to Texas-based company Anadarko, which has been granted a contract to look for oil in the area.

Caracas has said the ship was operating illegally in Venezuelan waters. The US has declined to comment on the seizure, Kazinform has learnt from BBC News.

The vessel - the Teknik Perdana - was surveying the seafloor on Thursday when it was approached by a Venezuelan navy vessel and forced to sail to Venezuela's Margarita Island. At least five US citizens are on board, the company said.

"One point is clear: the Teknik Perdana was in Guyana's waters when this incident took place," said the Guyanan foreign ministry in a statement.

The US state department said it was aware of reports that five US citizens were among crew members detained by Venezuelan authorities aboard the ship.

"Due to privacy concerns, we cannot comment further at this time," a statement said.

The ship sails under a Panamanian flag and is owned by Singaporean marine surveying company.

"Our first concern is the safety of the crew of the MV Teknik Perdana research vessel, which was under contract to our company and conducting a seafloor survey on behalf of the government of Guyana," said a spokesperson for Anadarko, Brian Cain.

"We are fully cooperating with the Government of Guyana, the US coast guard and embassy personnel in an effort to achieve the safe release of the crew and vessel," Mr Cain added.

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