Iranian dhow freed in combined Franco-Italian action
(BRUSSELS2) A small ship flying the Iranian flag was freed from the pirates who were occupying it, on September 29, off the coast of Tanzania, by the Italian ship, Libeccio, a member of the anti-piracy force, it is confirmed at HQ of Atalanta. The ship had been located the day before, towing a whaler and two skiffs, by the French maritime patrol aircraft. Which was an indication that it might have been hacked. Called to the rescue, the Libeccio sends its helicopter. At the first warning shots, the dhow refused to stop. Tracked overnight by Italian sailors, the pirates finally agreed to surrender on the morning of the 29th, after radio contact confirmed the presence of 7 crew members and 10 pirates.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)