European Union Maritime Forces Rescue Sailors Following Somali Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker
EU naval forces have safely freed two dozen crew members from a Maltese-flagged oil tanker that was attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
The vessel, which was carrying petrol from Indian ports to South Africa, was seized on Thursday when armed pirates began shooting with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before taking control of the vessel.
All sailors secured themselves inside a secure safe room while the attackers assumed command of the marine transport.
Mission Accomplished
A Spanish warship, functioning under the European Union's maritime security operation, reached the tanker on the following day. Special forces boarded the vessel and discovered all 24 crew members safe and sound.
"The crew is safe and no injuries have been reported. Throughout the ordeal, they remained in the secure area in direct contact with command center," officials stated, noting that a "demonstration of power" had convinced the attackers to leave the vessel before the warship reached the location.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities added that the danger level in the region "continues to be serious" as the pirates are still in the area.
The rescue operation involved a aircraft, drone and surveillance aircraft. Shortly before, a different vessel in the same area was targeted by a small speedboat but managed to evade it.
Resurgence of Piracy
This incident represents the most recent in a series of incidents that have created concern about a resurgence of piracy in the area.
Piracy operations had decreased when global maritime security and protective protocols were introduced after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past.
Nevertheless, assaults by militant groups on ships in the Arabian Sea, which have been conducted for the past two years, have led vessels to be diverted through the African coastline - creating new possibilities for Somali gangs.
Incident Data
- Multiple piracy cases of piracy took place off the shoreline of the Somali region last year
- Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these incidents
- Only one incident of piracy was reported in the preceding year
Industry professionals continue to monitor the developments as vessel operators travel through these potentially hazardous shipping lanes.
