European Union Maritime Forces Free Sailors After Somali Pirate Attack on Vessel
European Union naval forces have safely freed two dozen crew members from a Maltese-flagged oil tanker that was attacked by pirates off the shoreline of Somali waters.
The vessel, which was carrying fuel from India to South African destinations, was taken over on Thursday when heavily armed attackers opened fire with automatic weapons and explosive projectiles before boarding the ship.
The crew secured themselves inside a fortified citadel while the attackers assumed command of the ship.
Mission Accomplished
A naval vessel, functioning under the EU's anti-piracy mission, reached the ship on the following day. Elite military units boarded the craft and found all 24 crew members safe and sound.
"The crew is safe and no injuries have been documented. Throughout the ordeal, they stayed in the citadel in constant communication with command center," authorities announced, adding that a "demonstration of power" had prompted the attackers to leave the ship before the naval unit reached the location.
Ongoing Threat
Officials emphasized that the threat risk in the region "remains critical" as the pirates are still in the vicinity.
The rescue operation involved a helicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle and surveillance aircraft. Shortly before, a different vessel in the identical region was approached by a small speedboat but successfully avoided it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This event represents the most recent in a spate of incidents that have raised alarms about a renewal of piracy in the area.
Such activity had declined when international naval patrols and security measures were introduced after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past.
However, assaults by Yemen's Houthi rebels on vessels in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the recent period, have caused vessels to be rerouted through the African coastline - opening up new possibilities for Somali gangs.
Statistical Overview
- Seven reported incidents of piracy occurred off the coast of Somalia in the previous year
- Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these events
- Only one incident of maritime crime was noted in the preceding year
Industry professionals are closely watching the situation as vessel operators travel through these potentially hazardous waters.
