PIRACY ATTACK OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA
Suspects have been transferred to Seychellois Authorities.
Rota, 26 April 2019—EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta transferred five suspects to Seychellois authorities today after responding to piracy attacks on 21 April.
Spanish flagship ESPS Navarra transported the five suspected pirates to Seychelles on the afternoon of 25 April. The suspects have now been transferred to Seychellois authorities in accordance with a transfer agreement between the Seychelles and the European Union.
Operation Atalanta has requested medical assistance from the Seychellois authorities upon ESPS Navarra’s arrival for two of the suspects, who were likely wounded during piracy attempts.
EU NAVFOR has confirmed that on 21 April, suspected pirates seized a Yemeni fishing dhow in the Indian Ocean off the central Somali coast. The suspects then proceeded to attack the fishing vessels FV Adria and FV Txori Argi.
The masters, crews, and private security teams on board both vessels applied Best Management Practices (BMP) measures and avoided the attack. It is understood that the suspects executed the subsequent attacks while using the Yemeni dhow as a mothership.
On 21 April, EU NAVFOR dispatched its German and Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircrafts to search the area. In addition, EU NAVFOR flagship ESPS Navarra left the port in Mombasa in order to proceed to the area. On 23 April, ESPS NAVARA successfully intercepted and boarded the dhow, resulting in the release of 23 Yemeni hostages.
EU NAVFOR remains committed to deterring, preventing and suppressing piracy and emphasizes that the Maritime Industry must adhere to BMP measures in order to maximize the safety of the ship and their crews whilst transiting the high-risk area. EU NAVFOR relies on the regional legal framework to enable a comprehensive legal prosecution of suspects of piracy.
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For more information, please contact:
Spokesperson - EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta
+34 956 470 570
media@eunavfor.eu
European Union Naval Force • Operation Atalanta • European Union Operation Headquarters • Rota Naval Base • ES-OHQ-Rota • Rota, Cádiz • 11530 • +34 956 470 570 • eunavfor.eu
Suspects have been transferred to Seychellois Authorities.
Rota, 26 April 2019—EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta transferred five suspects to Seychellois authorities today after responding to piracy attacks on 21 April.
Spanish flagship ESPS Navarra transported the five suspected pirates to Seychelles on the afternoon of 25 April. The suspects have now been transferred to Seychellois authorities in accordance with a transfer agreement between the Seychelles and the European Union.
Operation Atalanta has requested medical assistance from the Seychellois authorities upon ESPS Navarra’s arrival for two of the suspects, who were likely wounded during piracy attempts.
EU NAVFOR has confirmed that on 21 April, suspected pirates seized a Yemeni fishing dhow in the Indian Ocean off the central Somali coast. The suspects then proceeded to attack the fishing vessels FV Adria and FV Txori Argi.
The masters, crews, and private security teams on board both vessels applied Best Management Practices (BMP) measures and avoided the attack. It is understood that the suspects executed the subsequent attacks while using the Yemeni dhow as a mothership.
On 21 April, EU NAVFOR dispatched its German and Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircrafts to search the area. In addition, EU NAVFOR flagship ESPS Navarra left the port in Mombasa in order to proceed to the area. On 23 April, ESPS NAVARA successfully intercepted and boarded the dhow, resulting in the release of 23 Yemeni hostages.
EU NAVFOR remains committed to deterring, preventing and suppressing piracy and emphasizes that the Maritime Industry must adhere to BMP measures in order to maximize the safety of the ship and their crews whilst transiting the high-risk area. EU NAVFOR relies on the regional legal framework to enable a comprehensive legal prosecution of suspects of piracy.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Spokesperson - EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta
+34 956 470 570
media@eunavfor.eu
European Union Naval Force • Operation Atalanta • European Union Operation Headquarters • Rota Naval Base • ES-OHQ-Rota • Rota, Cádiz • 11530 • +34 956 470 570 • eunavfor.eu