Indian Ocean, 8 November 2025 — European Union Naval Forces under Operation ATALANTA have successfully rescued a Maltese-flagged oil tanker after it was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean.
In a statement released on Friday, ATALANTA Command confirmed that all 24 crew members of the HELLAS APHRODITE are safe and no injuries were reported.
The crew took refuge in the ship’s citadel (secured safe room), where they maintained direct communication with ATALANTA forces throughout the incident.
“The 24 crew members on board are safe, and no injuries have been reported,” the ATALANTA statement said.
The pirate attack occurred on Thursday morning, approximately 700 nautical miles (about 1,300 km) off the coast of Mogadishu, according to ATALANTA.
The Spanish warship ESPS VICTORIA, which led the operation, deployed helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), maritime patrol aircraft, and special operations forces to drive the pirates away from the vessel.
According to ATALANTA, the Pirate Action Group (PAG) eventually abandoned the ship after witnessing a strong show of force by the EU naval units.
Forces are now collecting evidence and intelligence to support legal prosecution should the pirates be captured.
The operation was conducted in close coordination with Puntland authorities,Japanese and Seychelles maritime patrol aircraft, and the Spanish Joint Operations Command.
ATALANTA officials said that the piracy threat in the area remains high, and joint operations are continuing to track and intercept the mother ship believed to have been used in the attack.
