🔗 Share this article EU Naval Forces Free Crew Following Somali Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker The Maltese-flagged tanker was captured by pirates on Thursday EU naval forces have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Maltese-flagged oil tanker that was attacked by sea robbers off the shoreline of Somali waters. The vessel, which was transporting fuel from India to South Africa, was taken over on Thursday when armed pirates opened fire with machine guns and explosive projectiles before boarding the ship. All sailors locked themselves inside a secure safe room while the attackers took control of the marine transport. Successful Rescue Operation A Spanish warship, functioning under the EU's anti-piracy mission, reached the ship on Friday afternoon. Elite military units boarded the vessel and discovered all two dozen sailors unharmed. "All personnel is safe and no injuries have been documented. Throughout the incident, they remained in the citadel in direct contact with command center," authorities announced, adding that a "demonstration of power" had convinced the attackers to leave the vessel before the naval unit reached the location. Continuing Danger Authorities emphasized that the danger level in the area "remains critical" as the pirates are continue to be in the area. The mission utilized a helicopter, drone and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, a different vessel in the identical region was targeted by a fast boat but managed to evade it. Return of Maritime Crime This event marks the latest in a series of attacks that have raised alarms about a resurgence of maritime crime in the region. Piracy operations had declined when international naval patrols and protective protocols were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past. Nevertheless, assaults by militant groups on ships in the Red Sea, which have been conducted for the past two years, have led ships to be rerouted through the African coastline - opening up new possibilities for Somali gangs. Incident Data Multiple piracy cases of piracy took place off the shoreline of Somalia last year Several vessel takeovers were documented among these events A single case of piracy was noted in the preceding year Maritime security experts are closely watching the developments as shipping companies navigate these potentially hazardous waters.