European Union Maritime Forces Rescue Crew Following Somalia Piracy Incident on Vessel
EU maritime units have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Malta-registered petroleum vessel that was targeted by sea robbers off the coast of Somali waters.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying petrol from India to South Africa, was seized on the recent incident when heavily armed attackers opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before boarding the vessel.
All sailors locked themselves inside a fortified citadel while the pirates took control of the ship.
Mission Accomplished
A Spanish warship, functioning under the European Union's maritime security operation, arrived at the ship on Friday afternoon. Elite military units entered the vessel and found all 24 crew members unharmed.
"The crew is secure and no harm have been reported. During the incident, they stayed in the secure area in direct contact with command center," officials stated, adding that a "demonstration of power" had prompted the attackers to abandon the vessel before the warship arrived.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities added that the danger level in the region "continues to be serious" as the armed groups are continue to be in the area.
The rescue operation involved a helicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, a different vessel in the same area was targeted by a small speedboat but successfully avoided it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This incident represents the latest in a series of incidents that have raised alarms about a renewal of maritime crime in the area.
Piracy operations had declined when international naval patrols and security measures were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past.
However, attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on vessels in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the past two years, have caused vessels to be diverted through the African coastline - creating new opportunities for Somali gangs.
Statistical Overview
- Seven reported incidents of maritime crime took place off the shoreline of Somalia in the previous year
- Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these incidents
- A single case of piracy was reported in the preceding year
Maritime security experts are closely watching the situation as shipping companies travel through these increasingly dangerous shipping lanes.
