European Union Maritime Forces Free Crew After Somalia Piracy Incident on Oil Tanker
European Union naval forces have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Maltese-flagged oil tanker that was attacked by sea robbers off the shoreline of Somali waters.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying petrol from India to South African destinations, was seized on the recent incident when heavily armed attackers began shooting with automatic weapons and explosive projectiles before taking control of the ship.
The crew secured themselves inside a secure safe room while the attackers took control of the ship.
Successful Rescue Operation
A Spanish warship, operating under the EU's anti-piracy mission, reached the tanker on the following day. Special forces entered the vessel and discovered all 24 crew members safe and sound.
"All personnel is safe and no harm have been documented. Throughout the ordeal, they stayed in the citadel in direct contact with the operation," authorities announced, noting that a "demonstration of power" had prompted the pirates to abandon the vessel before the warship reached the location.
Ongoing Threat
Officials added that the danger level in the area "remains critical" as the pirates are continue to be in the vicinity.
The rescue operation utilized a aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, a different vessel in the same area was approached by a small speedboat but successfully avoided it.
Resurgence of Piracy
This event marks the most recent in a spate of attacks that have created concern about a renewal of maritime crime in the region.
Piracy operations had decreased when international naval patrols and protective protocols were introduced after reaching their highest point more than a decade ago.
However, assaults by Yemen's Houthi rebels on vessels in the Red Sea, which have been conducted for the recent period, have caused ships to be diverted through the African coastline - opening up new possibilities for Somali gangs.
Incident Data
- Seven reported incidents of maritime crime took place off the shoreline of the Somali region in the previous year
- Three hijackings were documented among these events
- A single case of maritime crime was reported in the preceding year
Industry professionals are closely watching the developments as shipping companies travel through these increasingly dangerous waters.
