European Union Maritime Forces Rescue Crew Following Somali Pirate Attack on Vessel
EU maritime units have successfully rescued two dozen crew members from a Malta-registered oil tanker that was targeted by sea robbers off the shoreline of Somali waters.
The vessel, which was carrying fuel from Indian ports to South Africa, was taken over on Thursday when armed pirates began shooting with machine guns and explosive projectiles before boarding the vessel.
The crew locked themselves inside a secure safe room while the pirates took control of the ship.
Mission Accomplished
A Spanish warship, functioning under the EU's anti-piracy mission, arrived at the tanker on the following day. Elite military units entered the craft and discovered all two dozen sailors unharmed.
"All personnel is safe and no injuries have been reported. Throughout the incident, they remained in the secure area in constant communication with command center," officials stated, adding that a "show of force" had convinced the pirates to leave the ship before the naval unit reached the location.
Ongoing Threat
Officials added that the danger level in the region "remains critical" as the pirates are continue to be in the vicinity.
The rescue operation utilized a helicopter, drone and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, another ship in the same area was approached by a small speedboat but successfully avoided it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This incident marks the most recent in a series of attacks that have raised alarms about a renewal of maritime crime in the area.
Such activity had decreased when international naval patrols and security measures were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past.
However, assaults by Yemen's Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the past two years, have caused ships to be rerouted through East Africa's Indian Ocean - opening up new possibilities for local pirate groups.
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
- Only one incident of piracy was noted in the preceding year
Industry professionals continue to monitor the situation as shipping companies travel through these increasingly dangerous shipping lanes.
