EU Maritime Forces Free Sailors After Somali Pirate Attack on Vessel
European Union maritime units have safely freed two dozen crew members from a Malta-registered oil tanker that was targeted by pirates off the shoreline of Somalia.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying petrol from India to South Africa, was seized on Thursday when heavily armed attackers began shooting with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades before taking control of the ship.
All sailors secured themselves inside a secure safe room while the pirates took control of the marine transport.
Mission Accomplished
A Spanish warship, functioning under the European Union's maritime security operation, reached the tanker on Friday afternoon. Elite military units boarded the craft and discovered all two dozen sailors unharmed.
"The crew is safe and no harm have been reported. During the ordeal, they remained in the citadel in direct contact with command center," officials stated, noting that a "show of force" had prompted the attackers to abandon the vessel before the naval unit arrived.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities added that the danger level in the region "continues to be serious" as the pirates are still in the area.
The rescue operation utilized a helicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, another ship in the same area was approached by a small speedboat but managed to evade it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This incident marks the most recent in a series of incidents that have raised alarms about a renewal of piracy in the region.
Piracy operations had declined when global maritime security and protective protocols were introduced after peaking more than a ten years past.
However, attacks by militant groups on ships in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the past two years, have led vessels to be diverted through the African coastline - creating new opportunities for Somali gangs.
Statistical Overview
- Multiple piracy cases of piracy occurred off the coast of Somalia in the previous year
- Three hijackings were recorded among these events
- A single case of maritime crime was reported in the preceding year
Industry professionals are closely watching the situation as vessel operators travel through these increasingly dangerous shipping lanes.
