🔗 Share this article European Union Naval Forces Rescue Sailors Following Somalia Piracy Incident on Oil Tanker The Hellas Aphrodite was captured by pirates on recently EU naval forces have successfully rescued two dozen crew members from a Malta-registered petroleum vessel that was attacked by pirates off the coast of Somali waters. The Hellas Aphrodite, which was transporting fuel from India to South African destinations, was taken over on Thursday when heavily armed attackers began shooting with machine guns and explosive projectiles before boarding the vessel. The crew secured themselves inside a fortified citadel while the pirates assumed command of the ship. Successful Rescue Operation A naval vessel, functioning under the European Union's maritime security operation, reached the tanker on Friday afternoon. Elite military units entered the craft and found all two dozen sailors safe and sound. "All personnel is secure and no injuries have been reported. Throughout the incident, they remained in the secure area in constant communication with the operation," authorities announced, adding that a "show of force" had prompted the pirates to abandon the ship before the warship reached the location. Ongoing Threat Authorities added that the danger level in the area "remains critical" as the pirates are continue to be in the vicinity. The rescue operation utilized a helicopter, drone and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, another ship in the identical region was approached by a small speedboat but managed to evade it. Resurgence of Piracy This incident marks the latest in a spate of attacks that have created concern about a resurgence of piracy in the region. Such activity had declined when global maritime security and security measures were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past. Nevertheless, attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on vessels in the Red Sea, which have been conducted for the past two years, have caused vessels to be rerouted through East Africa's Indian Ocean - opening up new opportunities for local pirate groups. Incident Data Multiple piracy cases of piracy took place off the coast of the Somali region last year Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these events Only one incident of piracy was noted in 2023 Industry professionals are closely watching the developments as shipping companies travel through these potentially hazardous shipping lanes.