🔗 Share this article EU Maritime Forces Free Sailors Following Somali Pirate Attack on Vessel The Hellas Aphrodite was seized by pirates on recently EU naval forces have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Maltese-flagged oil tanker that was targeted by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The Hellas Aphrodite, which was transporting petrol from India to South Africa, was taken over on Thursday when armed pirates opened fire with automatic weapons and explosive projectiles before taking control of the ship. All sailors secured themselves inside a secure safe room while the pirates took control of the marine transport. Mission Accomplished A Spanish warship, operating under the European Union's maritime security operation, arrived at the ship on Friday afternoon. Elite military units boarded the vessel and discovered all 24 crew members unharmed. "All personnel is safe and no injuries have been reported. Throughout the ordeal, they remained in the secure area in constant communication with the operation," authorities announced, noting that a "demonstration of power" had prompted the attackers to leave the ship before the warship arrived. Continuing Danger Officials added that the danger level in the region "continues to be serious" as the pirates are still in the vicinity. The mission utilized a aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle and surveillance aircraft. Shortly before, another ship in the same area was targeted by a small speedboat but successfully avoided it. Return of Maritime Crime This incident represents the most recent in a series of attacks that have created concern about a renewal of piracy in the region. Such activity had declined when international naval patrols and security measures were implemented after peaking more than a ten years past. Nevertheless, attacks by militant groups on ships in the Red Sea, which have been conducted for the past two years, have caused ships to be diverted through the African coastline - creating new opportunities for local pirate groups. Incident Data Seven reported incidents of maritime crime occurred off the shoreline of Somalia last year Several vessel takeovers were documented among these incidents A single case of maritime crime was reported in 2023 Maritime security experts continue to monitor the developments as vessel operators navigate these increasingly dangerous waters.