WASHINGTON, November 27. /TASS/. A US Navy warship has responded to a distress call from the chemical tanker Central Park, which had been seized by unidentified armed individuals, and ensured that it was safe and free, Reuters reported citing US officials.

One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the USS Mason had helped ensure that the tanker carrying a cargo of phosphoric acid in the Gulf of Aden was safe, the agency said.

Associated Press reported citing Ambrey private intelligence firm on November 26 that the Liberian-flagged Central Park, managed by Zodiac Maritime, had been seized by unidentified attackers in the Gulf of Aden.

Ambrey and Zodiac said that the Turkish-captained vessel had a multinational crew consisting of a crew of Russian, Vietnamese, Bulgarian, Indian, Georgian and Filipino nationals.