EU Maritime Forces Rescue Crew After Somali Piracy Incident on Vessel
EU maritime units have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Malta-registered oil tanker that was targeted by sea robbers off the shoreline of Somalia.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was transporting petrol from Indian ports to South African destinations, was taken over on Thursday when heavily armed attackers began shooting with machine guns and explosive projectiles before taking control of the vessel.
All sailors secured themselves inside a fortified citadel while the attackers took control of the marine transport.
Mission Accomplished
A Spanish warship, operating under the EU's anti-piracy mission, arrived at the tanker on the following day. Special forces entered the craft and discovered all two dozen sailors safe and sound.
"The crew is safe and no injuries have been reported. During the ordeal, they stayed in the secure area in direct contact with command center," authorities stated, adding that a "show of force" had convinced the pirates to abandon the vessel before the naval unit reached the location.
Continuing Danger
Officials emphasized that the danger level in the area "continues to be serious" as the armed groups are still in the vicinity.
The mission involved a aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, a different vessel in the same area was targeted by a fast boat but managed to evade it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This event marks the latest in a spate of attacks that have raised alarms about a resurgence of piracy in the area.
Piracy operations had declined when international naval patrols and protective protocols were implemented after peaking more than a decade ago.
Nevertheless, assaults by Yemen's Houthi rebels on ships in the Arabian Sea, which have been conducted for the past two years, have caused ships to be diverted through the African coastline - creating new opportunities for Somali gangs.
Statistical Overview
- Seven reported incidents of piracy took place off the coast of the Somali region in the previous year
- Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these events
- A single case of maritime crime was noted in the preceding year
Industry professionals are closely watching the developments as shipping companies travel through these potentially hazardous shipping lanes.
