image sourced from original article at A European naval force is racing to intercept a Malta-flagged tanker, the Hellas Aphrodite, which was seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The vessel, carrying gasoline from India to South Africa, came under attack from armed pirates who boarded the ship as its crew sheltered in a secure area. The incident has heightened concerns about renewed pirate activity in the region, with another attempted attack reported nearby shortly after the seizure.
Recent months have seen a resurgence in Somali piracy, partly driven by instability in the Red Sea. The Hellas Aphrodite is the first commercial ship seized off Somalia since May, following several attacks on fishing boats and other vessels. Local fishermen in Mogadishu expressed fear and frustration, worried that pirate actions would unfairly stigmatize their community.
