European Union Maritime Forces Free Crew After Somalia Piracy Incident on Oil Tanker
European Union naval forces have safely freed 24 sailors from a Malta-registered oil tanker that was targeted by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying fuel from Indian ports to South Africa, was taken over on the recent incident when heavily armed attackers began shooting with machine guns and explosive projectiles before taking control of the vessel.
The crew locked themselves inside a secure safe room while the attackers took control of the ship.
Successful Rescue Operation
A naval vessel, functioning under the European Union's maritime security operation, arrived at the ship on the following day. Special forces boarded the craft and discovered all two dozen sailors safe and sound.
"All personnel is secure and no harm have been reported. During the ordeal, they remained in the secure area in constant communication with the operation," officials announced, noting that a "demonstration of power" had convinced the pirates to abandon the vessel before the warship arrived.
Continuing Danger
Authorities emphasized that the danger level in the region "remains critical" as the pirates are still in the area.
The rescue operation involved a helicopter, drone and reconnaissance plane. Shortly before, a different vessel in the identical region was targeted by a small speedboat but managed to evade it.
Resurgence of Piracy
This incident marks the latest in a spate of incidents that have raised alarms about a resurgence of maritime crime in the region.
Such activity had decreased when global maritime security and security measures were introduced after peaking more than a ten years past.
Nevertheless, assaults by Yemen's Houthi rebels on vessels in the Arabian Sea, which have been conducted for the past two years, have led ships to be diverted through the African coastline - creating new opportunities for local pirate groups.
Statistical Overview
- Seven reported incidents of piracy occurred off the coast of the Somali region last year
- Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these incidents
- A single case of maritime crime was noted in the preceding year
Maritime security experts continue to monitor the developments as vessel operators travel through these increasingly dangerous waters.
