EU naval forces rescue freighter and crew after failed pirate attack off Somalia

The EU naval task force Operation Atalanta has reported the liberation of the Liberian-flagged cargo ship basilisk and its 17-member crew following a failed pirate attack in the Indian Ocean off Somalia late last week.

According to officials, the ship was attacked by suspected pirates on Thursday, May 23, as it transited the Indian Ocean, sailing about 380 nautical miles east of the Somali capital Mogadishu.

On Thursday evening, an Atalanta warship patrolling the area arrived on the scene. Armed forces stationed on the warship then boarded the cargo ship by rappelling from a helicopter.

One of basiliskThe crew of the USS Florida sustained injuries in the pirate attack. The individual is in stable condition and received medical treatment aboard the responding warship Atalanta.

Operation Atalanta assured that it would be in constant contact with representatives of the shipping company and the flag state of the vessel throughout the operation.