European Union Maritime Forces Free Crew Following Somalia Pirate Attack on Vessel
EU maritime units have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Malta-registered oil tanker that was attacked by pirates off the coast of Somali waters.
The vessel, which was transporting petrol from Indian ports to South Africa, was seized on Thursday when heavily armed attackers began shooting with machine guns and explosive projectiles before taking control of the ship.
The crew locked themselves inside a secure safe room while the attackers assumed command of the marine transport.
Successful Rescue Operation
A naval vessel, operating under the EU's anti-piracy mission, arrived at the ship on the following day. Special forces boarded the craft and found all 24 crew members unharmed.
"All personnel is safe and no injuries have been documented. Throughout the incident, they remained in the secure area in constant communication with command center," authorities announced, noting that a "show of force" had prompted the attackers to abandon the ship before the naval unit reached the location.
Ongoing Threat
Officials added that the threat risk in the area "remains critical" as the pirates are still in the vicinity.
The mission involved a aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle and reconnaissance plane. 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 incident marks the most recent in a series of attacks that have created concern about a renewal of piracy in the region.
Such activity had decreased when international naval patrols and protective protocols were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past.
However, attacks by militant groups on vessels in the Red Sea, which have been conducted for the recent period, have caused vessels to be diverted through East Africa's Indian Ocean - creating new opportunities for Somali gangs.
Incident Data
- Multiple piracy cases of maritime crime took place off the shoreline of the Somali region last year
- Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these events
- A single case of maritime crime was noted in the preceding year
Maritime security experts continue to monitor the situation as shipping companies navigate these potentially hazardous shipping lanes.
