EU Naval Forces Rescue Sailors Following Somalia Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker
EU maritime units have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Malta-registered 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 Thursday when armed pirates began shooting with automatic weapons and explosive projectiles before taking control of the ship.
The crew secured themselves inside a fortified citadel while the attackers took control of the marine transport.
Mission Accomplished
A Spanish warship, operating under the EU's anti-piracy mission, reached the tanker on the following day. Special forces boarded the craft and found all two dozen sailors safe and sound.
"All personnel is secure and no injuries have been reported. Throughout the ordeal, they stayed in the citadel in constant communication with command center," authorities announced, noting that a "demonstration of power" had convinced the pirates to leave the vessel before the warship reached the location.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities added that the danger level in the area "continues to be serious" as the pirates are continue to be in the vicinity.
The mission involved a aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle and reconnaissance plane. Just hours earlier, another ship in the identical region was approached by a fast boat but managed to evade it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This event marks the latest in a spate of incidents that have created concern about a resurgence of piracy in the region.
Such activity had declined when international naval patrols and security measures were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a decade ago.
However, attacks by militant groups on ships in the Arabian Sea, which have been conducted for the past two years, have led ships to be diverted through East Africa's Indian Ocean - creating new possibilities for Somali gangs.
Incident Data
- Multiple piracy cases of maritime crime took place off the shoreline of the Somali region last year
- Several vessel takeovers were documented among these events
- A single case of maritime crime was reported in the preceding year
Maritime security experts are closely watching the developments as shipping companies travel through these increasingly dangerous shipping lanes.
