European Union Naval Forces Free Sailors Following Somali Piracy Incident on Vessel

EU naval forces have safely freed 24 sailors from a Malta-registered petroleum vessel that was attacked by sea robbers off the coast of Somalia.

The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying fuel from Indian ports to South Africa, was seized on Thursday when heavily armed attackers opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before taking control of the ship.

All sailors locked themselves inside a secure safe room while the pirates assumed command of the ship.

Mission Accomplished

A naval vessel, functioning under the EU's anti-piracy mission, arrived at the tanker on the following day. Elite military units entered the vessel and found all 24 crew members safe and sound.

"All personnel is safe and no harm have been reported. During the incident, they stayed in the secure area in direct contact with command center," officials announced, adding that a "show of force" had convinced the attackers to leave the ship before the warship reached the location.

Ongoing Threat

Authorities added that the threat risk in the area "remains critical" as the armed groups are continue to be in the area.

The rescue operation involved a helicopter, drone and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, another ship in the identical region was approached by a small speedboat but successfully avoided it.

Return of Maritime Crime

This incident marks the latest in a series of incidents that have created concern about a renewal of maritime crime in the region.

Piracy operations had decreased when global maritime security and security measures were implemented after peaking more than a decade ago.

Nevertheless, assaults by militant groups on ships in the Red Sea, which have been conducted for the recent period, have caused ships to be diverted through the African coastline - opening up new opportunities for local pirate groups.

Statistical Overview

• Multiple piracy cases of maritime crime took place off the coast of the Somali region last year
• Several vessel takeovers were documented among these incidents
• A single case of maritime crime was reported in the preceding year

Industry professionals continue to monitor the situation as vessel operators travel through these potentially hazardous shipping lanes.