EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

Today the EU NAVFOR German warship BRANDENBURG investigated a suspected pirate skiff with a crew of five in the Gulf of Aden just south of Al Mukalla.

The EU NAVFOR warship launched a helicopter that observed, and filmed, the skiffs crew throwing ladders and weapons overboard. The skiff was ordered to stop but continued on at speed. The EU NAVFOR warship, through an interpreter, exhorted the skiff to stop but the skiff continued. Further warning shots were fired across the bow, the skiff stopped and a team boarded the skiff from a Rhib where weaponry was found. One of the five suspected pirates was wounded in the incident and although he received medical treatment onboard BRANDENBURG, was later pronounced dead.