The cargo ship 'Basilisk,' bearing the flag of Liberia, has been captured by Somali pirates. The ship, which was carrying a crew of 17, was seized approximately 380 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The incident was reported by Khabar Daily Somalia.

The 'Basilisk' departed from Rotterdam, Netherlands, and was en route to Dubai's Jabal Al Ali port after a stop at Porto Grande in Cape Verde. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a warning on Thursday about two small boats boarding a vessel 420 nautical miles southeast of Somalia's Marka area. It was later confirmed that this vessel was the 'Basilisk.'

Pirates took control of the ship's operations room, cutting off all communications, with the 17 crew members believed to be trapped in the ship's safe room.

In a rapid response, EU anti-piracy forces in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea intervened and successfully freed the 'Basilisk' from the suspected pirates. A report from The East African on Friday, May 24, confirmed that all 17 crew members of the ship are safe.

This incident follows a similar case involving the Bangladeshi-flagged ship MV Abdullah. On March 12, while transporting coal from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates, MV Abdullah was captured by Somali pirates approximately 600 nautical miles off the Somali coast. The ship and its 23 sailors were released after 33 days following a ransom payment of 5 million dollars.

The capture and subsequent release of the 'Basilisk' highlight the ongoing threat of piracy in the region, despite international efforts to curb such activities. The quick response from EU anti-piracy forces in this latest incident underscores the continued vigilance and coordinated efforts required to ensure maritime security in these waters.