Nairobi, Kenya: The European Union’s anti-piracy naval force successfully secured a merchant vessel attacked off the coast of Somalia on Thursday.
The ship, Hellas Aphrodite, operated by Greek firm Latsco Marine Management, was en route from India to South Africa with 24 crew members aboard when armed assailants attempted to seize it.
According to the EU Naval Force, the pirates abandoned the tanker after an “early show of force.” All crew members were reported safe, with no injuries. Authorities are conducting an intensive search for the pirates, who remain in the area, and have warned that they will face legal prosecution if captured.
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The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre confirmed that the vessel was approached from the stern by a small craft and had no security on board at the time of the attack, according to maritime news agency Lloyd’s List.
The incident follows two other recent failed pirate attacks off Somalia’s coast: one on the MV Stolt Sagaland tanker on Monday and another on the FV Intertuna Tres on Tuesday, both thwarted before boarding.
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While Somalia was once notorious for pirate raids and ransom attacks, such incidents have become less frequent in recent years, thanks to international naval patrols in the region.