A merchant ship attacked. Pirate groups in the area (update)

(BRUSSELS2, exclusive) A merchant ship - a chemical tanker flying the flag of Hong Kong, part of Saudi Arabia and heading for Mozambique - was attacked this Wednesday morning (November 6), at daybreak in the middle of the Indian Ocean between Zanzibar and the Seychelles.

Action of private guards

The private security guards had to shoot their attackers - 5 in number - to keep them away. The attackers responded with fire, according to the anti-piracy forces deployed in the Indian Ocean. No injuries to report, said a press officer contacted by B2. Means (air / naval) were used to "close the area" and identify suspicious pirates.

The Niedersachsen in "disrupted" mode

This is not an isolated fact. According to our information, the German navy ship, Niedersachsen (F-208), which is taking part in the European operation EUNavfor Atalanta, "thwarted" another group of pirates who were about to go "fishing" on Tuesday ( November 5). In terms of fishing, the whaler towing a skiff had on board about ten men, more than 10 barrels of fuel and, above all, two long ladders. Equipment more commonly used to attack a ship than to catch fish!

It swings at sea...

As the German frigate approached, the suspects immediately threw their ladders into the water - as evidenced by one of the photos taken (red frame). We counted several people who were present on the beach to come and help the apprentice pirates to drag their boat on the beach... FGS Niedersachsen continued to monitor the beach, but it was quickly deserted, reports HQ from Atalanta.

(Update) Information completed on November 7 with information from Atalanta HQ

To be continued (on the Club): Extend Atalanta: until when, with what mandate?