In a dramatic operation, European Union naval forces have rescued 24 sailors from the Maltese-flagged oil tanker, Hellas Aphrodite, after it was attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
The vessel was hijacked when armed pirates launched an assault with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, seizing control of the ship. Fortunately, the crew managed to lock themselves inside a fortified citadel, ensuring their safety while the attackers took over the vessel.
On Friday afternoon, the Spanish warship ESPS Victoria, part of the EU’s anti-piracy mission known as Operation Atalanta, responded to the distress call from the tanker. Special forces boarded the ship and found all 24 crew members unharmed.
The EU mission reported, The crew is safe and no injuries have been reported. Throughout the incident, they remained in the citadel in direct contact with Atalanta. They noted that a show of force by their naval units prompted the pirates to abandon the ship just before the warship's arrival.
Despite the successful operation, the EU warned that the threat of piracy in the region remains critical, as pirates continue to operate in the area. The rescue involved extensive support from helicopters, drones, and surveillance aircraft.
This incident is part of a worrying trend as piracy incidents rise. Attacks had declined in recent years due to international naval patrols, but recent conflicts, including Yemeni rebel assaults on ships in the Red Sea, have led to vessels detouring through the Indian Ocean, creating new opportunities for Somali pirate gangs.
The International Maritime Bureau reported a total of seven piracy incidents off the Somali coast last year, including three hijackings, and just one incident this year, highlighting the ongoing struggle against maritime crime.
