EU Forces Free Crew After Somali Pirate Attack on Tanker
European Union naval forces have rescued 24 sailors from a Maltese-flagged oil tanker that was attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
The Hellas Aphrodite, carrying petrol from India to South Africa, was seized on Thursday when armed pirates opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before boarding the vessel. The crew locked themselves inside a fortified citadel while the attackers took control of the ship.
EU Warship Responds to Distress Call
A Spanish warship, the ESPS Victoria, operating under the EU’s anti-piracy mission Operation Atalanta, reached the tanker on Friday afternoon. Special forces boarded the vessel and found all 24 crew members unharmed. The rescue operation involved a helicopter, drone, and surveillance aircraft.
The EU mission stated that the crew remained in the citadel throughout the incident, in direct contact with Atalanta. A “show of force” prompted the pirates to abandon the ship before the warship arrived. No injuries were reported among the crew, who are now safe.
Pirates Remain Active in Area
Despite the successful rescue operation, the threat risk in the area remains critical as the pirates are still in the vicinity. The incident is part of a spate of attacks that have created concern about a resurgence of piracy in the area. Such activity had declined when international naval patrols and security measures were introduced after peaking more than a decade ago.
However, attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the past two years, have led vessels to be diverted through East Africa’s Indian Ocean – creating new opportunities for Somali gangs. There were seven reported incidents of piracy that took place off the coast of Somalia last year, according to the International Maritime Bureau – including three hijackings. It reported only one incident of piracy in 2023.
The successful rescue operation highlights the importance of continued international cooperation and vigilance in combating piracy in the region.
Original Article: EU forces free crew after Somali pirate attack on tanker — Yahoo