Pirates fire grenades and board vessel off Somali coast
The attackers boarded a ship off the coast of Somalia after firing machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades at the vessel, according to a British shipping agency.
Greek shipping company Latsco Marine Management confirmed the attack on a ship carrying gasoline, saying the ship’s 24 crew members were “safe and responsible” and “we remain in close contact with them.”
The crew took refuge in the ship’s fortified safe, Reuters news agency cited an official with maritime security company Diaplous as saying.
European Union naval forces operating in the area have been called upon, Reuters said.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says the raid occurred approximately 560 nautical miles southeast of the Somali town of Eyl.
“The captain of a vessel reported being approached by a small boat on the stern. The small boat fired small arms and RPGs towards the vessel,” the UKMTO said in a statement.
Private security firm Ambrey said the attackers were likely Somali pirates, active in the region in recent days.
According to Latsco, the attack on the Malta-registered vessel occurred around 11:48 a.m. local time (08:48 GMT).
“[Latsco] “has activated its emergency response team and is coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the crew,” it said.
The ship, named Hellas Aphrodite, was built in 2016 and was en route from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa, it said.
This attack comes amid a resurgence of piracy in the region, which had declined after peaking more than a decade ago.
At least seven incidents were reported last year and several fishing boats have already been seized by pirates this year, according to the International Maritime Bureau.
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