European Union Maritime Forces Rescue Sailors Following Somalia Piracy Incident on Oil Tanker
EU maritime units have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Malta-registered oil tanker that was targeted by sea robbers off the shoreline of Somalia.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was transporting fuel from Indian ports to South African destinations, was seized on Thursday when armed pirates opened fire with machine guns and explosive projectiles before taking control of the ship.
All sailors locked themselves inside a secure safe room while the attackers assumed command of the marine transport.
Successful Rescue Operation
A naval vessel, operating under the EU's anti-piracy mission, arrived at the tanker on Friday afternoon. Elite military units entered the craft and discovered all 24 crew members unharmed.
"All personnel is safe and no harm have been reported. Throughout the ordeal, they remained in the citadel in constant communication with the operation," officials announced, noting that a "demonstration of power" had convinced the attackers to leave the ship before the naval unit arrived.
Continuing Danger
Authorities emphasized that the threat risk in the area "remains critical" as the armed groups are still in the vicinity.
The rescue operation involved a helicopter, drone and reconnaissance plane. Just hours earlier, a different vessel in the same area was approached by a fast boat but successfully avoided it.
Resurgence of Piracy
This incident represents the latest in a spate of incidents that have raised alarms about a resurgence of piracy in the area.
Piracy operations had declined when global maritime security and protective protocols were introduced after peaking more than a decade ago.
Nevertheless, attacks by militant groups on ships in the Arabian Sea, which have been conducted for the past two years, have caused ships to be diverted through the African coastline - creating new opportunities for Somali gangs.
Incident Data
- Multiple piracy cases of piracy occurred off the coast of Somalia in the previous year
- Three hijackings were documented among these events
- A single case of maritime crime was noted in 2023
Industry professionals are closely watching the situation as shipping companies travel through these potentially hazardous waters.
