All of the crewmembers of the Greek-owned tanker Hellas Aphrodite have been rescued after an operation by Spanish special units (SOF) on Friday off the coast of Somalia, a day after the vessel was boarded by pirates.
The 24 seamen, including five Greek nationals, had taken shelter and were within a secure “citadel” (safe room) aboard the vessel since it was taken over by presumed Somali pirates.
According to an announcement by the EU-managed EUNAVFOR Atalanta operation, the commando operation began at 13.00 (UTC) and commenced from the ESPS Victoria long-hulled frigate.
The pirates had reportedly fled from the ship.
The Malta-flagged vessel belongs to the Latsco Marine Management and had departed from the Indian port of Sikka for Durban, South Africa, load with petrol.
