European Union Naval Forces Free Sailors After Somali Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker
EU maritime units have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Malta-registered petroleum vessel that was attacked by pirates off the shoreline of Somalia.
The vessel, which was transporting petrol from Indian ports to South Africa, was taken over on Thursday when armed pirates began shooting with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before taking control of the vessel.
All sailors locked themselves inside a fortified citadel while the attackers assumed command of the marine transport.
Mission Accomplished
A naval vessel, functioning under the European Union's maritime security operation, reached the ship on Friday afternoon. Elite military units entered the vessel and discovered all two dozen sailors unharmed.
"The crew is secure and no harm have been documented. Throughout the ordeal, they stayed in the secure area in direct contact with the operation," authorities stated, adding that a "show of force" had prompted the pirates to leave the vessel before the warship reached the location.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities emphasized that the threat risk in the region "remains critical" as the pirates are still in the area.
The mission involved a helicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle and reconnaissance plane. Shortly before, another ship in the same area was approached by a fast boat but managed to evade it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This event marks the most recent in a series of incidents that have raised alarms about a resurgence of piracy in the region.
Piracy operations had declined when global maritime security and protective protocols were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past.
Nevertheless, assaults by militant groups on ships in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the recent period, have led vessels to be diverted through the African coastline - opening up new opportunities for Somali gangs.
Incident Data
- Seven reported incidents of maritime crime occurred off the shoreline of Somalia in the previous year
- Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these incidents
- A single case of maritime crime was noted in the preceding year
Maritime security experts are closely watching the situation as shipping companies travel through these potentially hazardous shipping lanes.
