EU vessel reaches ship raided by pirates off Somalia, confirms all 24 crew on board are safe
Summary
A European Union naval force secured the safety of 24 crew members aboard a Malta-flagged tanker after pirates attacked the ship off the coast of Somalia. The crew locked themselves in a secure area during the attack, and the pirates left when a military vessel approached. Pirate attacks in this region have increased recently, posing ongoing security concerns.Key Facts
- A Malta-flagged tanker named Hellas Aphrodite was attacked by pirates near Somalia.
- The ship was carrying gasoline from India to South Africa.
- The EU naval force, Operation Atalanta, intervened, and all 24 crew members were found safe.
- The Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria helped in forcing the pirates to flee by showing military force.
- Somali pirate attacks have been increasing, with reports of seven incidents in 2024.
- Increased attacks are linked to regional insecurity, including conflicts involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
- Somalia’s local fishermen express concern that pirate activities could unfairly label them as pirates too.
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