Three Filipino seafarers on board a cargo vessel have been taken hostage north of the Seychelles, reports said Tuesday.

Reuters reported that pirates attacked and hijacked the Belgian-flagged cargo ship MV Pompei which was carrying a crew of seven Europeans and three Filipinos.

The report quoted an official of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Lieutenant-Commander Alexandres Fernandes.

“After the distress call went out, several ships tried to make contact with the MV Pompei but they had no joy," Fernandes said in the report.

Another report by Bloomberg.com stated that the vessel was heading towards Somalia with pirates on boards.

Also on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced the release of 23 Filipino seafarers on board MT Stolt Strength five months after it was seized by Somali pirates.