🔗 Share this article European Union Naval Forces Rescue Crew After Somali Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker The Hellas Aphrodite was captured by armed attackers on Thursday EU naval forces have safely freed two dozen crew members from a Malta-registered petroleum vessel that was targeted by sea robbers off the shoreline of Somalia. The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying petrol from Indian ports to South African destinations, was seized on Thursday when armed pirates opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before boarding the ship. All sailors secured themselves inside a secure safe room while the pirates took control of the marine transport. Successful Rescue Operation A Spanish warship, functioning under the EU's anti-piracy mission, reached the ship on the following day. Elite military units boarded the craft and found all two dozen sailors unharmed. "All personnel is safe and no injuries have been documented. During the ordeal, they stayed in the citadel in direct contact with the operation," officials stated, adding that a "demonstration of power" had convinced the pirates to leave the ship before the warship arrived. Continuing Danger Authorities added that the threat risk in the area "remains critical" as the armed groups are still in the area. The rescue operation involved a helicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle and surveillance aircraft. Shortly before, a different vessel in the identical region was targeted by a fast boat but managed to evade it. Return of Maritime Crime This incident represents the most recent in a series of incidents that have created concern about a resurgence of maritime crime in the area. Such activity had decreased when global maritime security and protective protocols were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past. However, assaults by militant groups on vessels in the Red Sea, which have been carried out for the past two years, have led ships to be rerouted through the African coastline - creating new possibilities for Somali gangs. Incident Data Multiple piracy cases of piracy took place off the coast of the Somali region in the previous year Three hijackings were documented among these events Only one incident of piracy was noted in the preceding year Industry professionals are closely watching the developments as vessel operators travel through these potentially hazardous shipping lanes.