European Union Maritime Forces Rescue Sailors Following Somalia Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker
European Union maritime units have safely freed 24 sailors from a Maltese-flagged oil tanker that was targeted by pirates off the shoreline of Somali waters.
The vessel, which was carrying petrol from Indian ports to South Africa, was seized on the recent incident when armed pirates opened fire with automatic weapons and explosive projectiles before boarding the ship.
The crew secured themselves inside a fortified citadel while the pirates took control of the ship.
Mission Accomplished
A Spanish warship, operating under the EU's anti-piracy mission, reached the tanker on Friday afternoon. Special forces boarded the craft and found all two dozen sailors safe and sound.
"The crew is secure and no harm have been reported. During the ordeal, they remained in the secure area in constant communication with command center," officials announced, noting that a "demonstration of power" had prompted the pirates to abandon the vessel before the naval unit reached the location.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities added that the threat risk in the region "continues to be serious" as the pirates are still in the vicinity.
The mission utilized a helicopter, drone and surveillance aircraft. Shortly before, a different vessel in the identical region was targeted 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 created concern about a renewal of maritime crime in the area.
Such activity had decreased when global maritime security and protective protocols were introduced after reaching their highest point more than a decade ago.
Nevertheless, attacks by militant groups on vessels in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the recent period, have caused ships to be diverted through East Africa's Indian Ocean - creating new possibilities for local pirate groups.
Incident Data
- Seven reported incidents of maritime crime took place off the coast of the Somali region last year
- Three hijackings were recorded among these incidents
- Only one incident of piracy was noted in the preceding year
Maritime security experts continue to monitor the developments as shipping companies navigate these increasingly dangerous shipping lanes.
