EU Naval Forces Free Crew Following Somali Pirate Attack on Vessel
European Union naval forces have safely freed two dozen crew members from a Malta-registered oil tanker that was attacked by sea robbers off the shoreline of Somalia.
The vessel, which was transporting petrol from India to South African destinations, was seized on the recent incident when armed pirates opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before boarding the vessel.
The crew secured themselves inside a fortified citadel while the attackers assumed command of the ship.
Mission Accomplished
A naval vessel, operating under the European Union's maritime security operation, reached the tanker on Friday afternoon. Elite military units boarded the craft and discovered all 24 crew members unharmed.
"All personnel is safe and no injuries have been reported. During the incident, they stayed in the secure area in direct contact with command center," officials announced, adding that a "show of force" had prompted the attackers to leave the vessel before the naval unit arrived.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities added that the danger level in the area "remains critical" as the armed groups are still in the area.
The rescue operation involved a aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, another ship in the identical region was approached by a fast boat but managed to evade it.
Resurgence of Piracy
This incident marks the most recent in a spate of incidents that have raised alarms about a renewal of maritime crime in the region.
Such activity had decreased when global maritime security and security measures were implemented after peaking more than a ten years past.
Nevertheless, attacks by militant groups on ships in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the past two years, have caused vessels to be rerouted through the African coastline - creating new possibilities for Somali gangs.
Incident Data
- Seven reported incidents of piracy occurred off the coast of Somalia last year
- Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these incidents
- A single case of maritime crime was noted in the preceding year
Industry professionals continue to monitor the developments as shipping companies navigate these increasingly dangerous shipping lanes.
