Somali pirates have seized eight boats with nearly 120 Indian sailors taken hostage on their way from Somalia to Dubai, reported local TV channel Times Now on Tuesday.

The report quoted relatives of one of the sailors as saying they appealed to the government for help in securing the release of the sailors.

The report also said the hijacked Indian vessels have been traced near Seychelles in the Indian Ocean.

The sailors belong to the Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat state in western India, said the report.

They had anchored last in the rebel territory of Kismayo in Somalia where they loaded cargo into their boats. After they left the port, pirates captured them. So far, the pirates have not asked for any ransom, according to the report.

The Indian Navy have confirmed the hijacking and said efforts are being made to contact the pirates and get the Indians back safely, said the report.