European Union Maritime Forces Rescue Sailors After Somalia Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker
European Union maritime units have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Maltese-flagged oil tanker that was targeted by pirates off the shoreline of Somalia.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying petrol from India to South African destinations, was seized on Thursday when armed pirates opened fire with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades before taking control of the ship.
All sailors secured themselves inside a secure safe room while the attackers took control of the marine transport.
Successful Rescue Operation
A Spanish warship, operating under the EU's anti-piracy mission, reached the tanker on Friday afternoon. Elite military units entered the vessel and found all two dozen sailors unharmed.
"All personnel is secure and no injuries have been documented. Throughout the ordeal, they remained in the secure area in direct contact with command center," authorities announced, noting that a "demonstration of power" had prompted the pirates to leave the vessel before the naval unit reached the location.
Continuing Danger
Officials emphasized that the threat risk in the region "remains critical" as the armed groups are continue to be in the vicinity.
The mission involved a helicopter, drone and surveillance aircraft. Shortly before, a different vessel in the same area was approached by a fast boat but managed to evade it.
Resurgence of Piracy
This incident represents the latest in a spate of incidents that have created concern about a renewal of maritime crime in the area.
Piracy operations had declined when international naval patrols and security measures were introduced after peaking more than a decade ago.
However, assaults by militant groups on ships in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the past two years, have caused vessels to be diverted through the African coastline - creating new possibilities for Somali gangs.
Incident Data
- Seven reported incidents of maritime crime occurred off the coast of the Somali region in the previous year
- Three hijackings were recorded among these incidents
- A single case of piracy was reported in the preceding year
Industry professionals continue to monitor the situation as shipping companies travel through these potentially hazardous waters.
