"Armed individuals boarded a Maltese-flagged cargo ship off Somalia early on Thursday. Maritime security sources said they had fired gunshots and rocket-propelled grenades at the vessel. The Maltese-flagged Hellas Aphrodite ship was carry gasoline and was headed to South Africa from India. The European Union's naval force combating piracy off the Horn of Africa, Operation Atalanta, said that one of its vessels was near the attack site and was en route to provide assistance."
"Ship's crew members sheltered in citadel Greek company Latsco Marine Management, which manages the ship, first raised the alarm of a "security incident" on Thursday morning but provided comparatively few details at first. The British UKMTO maritime trade operations center described the incident as an "illegal boarding." "The Master of a vessel has reported being approached by one small craft on its stern," it said."
"Maritime risk management company Diapolous said that the 24 crew members had sought shelter in the ship's secure "citadel," remained there, and were safe. "All 24 crew are safe and accounted for and we remain in close contact with them," the ship's managing company Latsco said in a statement. Recent uptick in attacks after several calmer years Thursday's incident is the first time in over a year that pirates have taken control of a vessel in the Horn of Africa region,"
Armed individuals boarded the Maltese-flagged Hellas Aphrodite off Somalia while firing gunshots and rocket-propelled grenades. The vessel was carrying gasoline from India to South Africa. Operation Atalanta reported a nearby EU naval vessel was en route to assist. Crew sought refuge in the ship's secure citadel and remained there. Latsco Marine Management and maritime risk company Diapolous confirmed all 24 crew were safe and accounted for. The UKMTO described the event as an illegal boarding and reported a small craft had approached, fired on the ship, and had unauthorized personnel aboard. The incident follows a recent uptick in attacks in the region.
Read at www.dw.com
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