A Chinese fishing vessel off the coast of Somalia has fallen under the control of suspected pirates, a European Union anti-piracy force operating in the area said on Thursday.

The ship, with up to 18 crew members, was taken over by suspected pirates, some of whom were armed with AK-47s and machine guns, the European Union's Naval Operation Atalanta said in a statement.

He classified the incident as a robbery at sea and said none of the crew were injured.

China has yet to comment on the situation, which occurred in a key region for its overseas maritime activities, while maintaining the country's expanding footprint and economic interests in Africa and the Middle East.

The latest incident comes amid a recent surge in piracy in the area, which is close to major international shipping lanes through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

The slow recovery follows attacks by Houthi rebels on merchant ships in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.

The attacks, which began late last year and subsided in the spring, have upended global trade — and distracted international naval forces in the region, observers say.

Operation Atalanta recorded 19 attacks by suspected pirates so far this year - the highest number since 2012, according to data from the force, which operates in waters around the Horn of Africa and the western Indian Ocean.

Operation Atalanta said it was in "constant contact" with Somali and Chinese authorities about the latest incident. /CNN