European Union anti-piracy mission confirmed on Wednesday that the crew on the hijacked Libyan-owned merchant ship had retaken control of the vessel from Somali pirates.EU Naval Force spokesman John Harbour said one of the crew members was seriously injured during the incident. "Today at 10:10 hrs local time, the hijacked Libyan owned merchant vessel RIM reported that the crew had successfully retaken control of the ship," Harbour said.The incident took place south east of Garacad, off Somalia's northern coastline.He said the closest EU Naval Force warship, the SPS Victoria, was immediately tasked by the Force Commander Jan Thornqvist, to meet up with MV RIM in order give medical assistance. SPS VICTORIA launched her helicopter immediately. "Confusing reports that the ship had been pirated again came prior to the helicopter reaching the scene of the incident. It was quickly established that the crew were in control of the vessel," he said.According to Harbour, there were however, pirates in the vicinity who were attempting to impede the EU Naval Force operation by utilizing another hijacked vessel the MV Voc Daisy. "When SPS Victoria's helicopter approached the MV Voc Daisy she changed her course. No warning shots were fired. It is believed that some of the pirates were killed during the incident. The ship is now under the control of the crew," he said.He said EU anti piracy mission is monitoring the situation and more information will be released as it becomes available.The Horn of Africa nation's coastline is considered one of the world's most dangerous stretches of water because of piracy.Somalia is at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden, which leads to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the world's most important shipping channels.
The country has been plagued by factional fighting between warlords and hasn't had a functioning central administration since the 1991 from Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre
Somali pirates have hijacked a Libyan-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, taking its crew of 17 Romanians and Libyans hostage . February 02, 2010.The MV Rim was seized outside the internationally recommended transit corridor patrolled by the anti-piracy naval coalition, the European Union Naval Force (Navfor) said on Thursday. Kenya-based Ecoterra, which monitors shipping off Somalia
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