EU naval task force Operation Atalanta has reported the liberation of the Liberian-flagged general cargo vessel Basilisk and its 17-strong crew following a failed attack by pirates in the Indian Ocean off Somalia late last week.
Officials said the ship was attacked by suspected pirates whilst transiting the Indian Ocean, sailing approximately 380 nautical miles east of the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Thursday, May 23.
On the evening of Thursday, an Atalanta warship patrolling the area arrived on-scene. Armed personnel that were deployed on the warship then boarded the cargo vessel by fast-roping from a helicopter.
One of Basilisk's crew suffered injuries as a result of the pirate attack. This individual is in stable condition and has received medical attention on board the responding Atalanta warship.
Operation Atalanta assured that, throughout the operation, it was in permanent contact with representatives of the shipowning company and the ship's flag state.
