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Pirates seize MT Eureka in Gulf of Aden
Somali pirates hijacked the oil tanker MT Eureka early Sunday morning near Yemen's port of Qana, security officials confirmed to the BBC. The vessel, flying Togo's flag, was overpowered at approximately 5:00 AM local time (03:00 BST) and is now en route to Somali waters.
Incident details
The attack occurred in the Gulf of Aden, a critical shipping corridor between Yemen and Somalia. According to three Puntland security officials, the pirates departed from Qandala, a coastal town in the semi-autonomous region. The tanker is expected to anchor off Somalia within hours.
Recent surge in piracy
This marks the second oil tanker hijacked in the region in 10 days. On April 22, pirates seized the Honor 25, which was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil destined for Mogadishu. Today's incident is the fourth successful hijacking in two weeks, signaling a sharp rise in pirate activity.
Broader security concerns
In a separate incident on Friday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported armed individuals on a skiff approaching a bulk carrier near Al-Mukala, Yemen. The attackers, believed to have launched from Caluula (Alula), departed without boarding the vessel. Caluula lies approximately 209 km (130 miles) from Qandala.
The surge in piracy coincides with reduced naval patrols in the region. Since late 2023, Houthi rebel attacks in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea have diverted international naval forces, creating a security vacuum. Somali authorities and the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) have yet to comment on the latest hijacking.
"The ongoing crisis with the pirates is far worse than many realize. Armed groups are increasingly active along the entire coast," a Puntland security official told the BBC.
Puntland security official
Regional context
Somalia's coastline, the longest in mainland Africa at 3,333 km (2,071 miles), has long been a hotspot for piracy. While incidents declined after 2011 due to international counter-piracy efforts, the recent Houthi conflict has allowed pirate groups to regroup and escalate attacks.
