The Danish navy has shot dead four people off the coast of West Africa in an action against piracy. That happened just outside Nigeria’s territorial waters yesterday.
A Seahawk helicopter from the frigate Esbern Snare spotted a fast motorboat carrying eight people suspiciously near a number of cargo ships. Warning shots were then fired from the Danish ship to force the boat to stop. The pirates fired back in response, according to a statement from the Danish navy.
The Danes also fired at that. Four people on board the pirate boat were killed and a fifth was injured. The boat was sunk. According to the Danish navy, it was self-defense. No Danish naval personnel were injured in the incident. Four pirates have been captured and brought aboard the frigate.
Prime Minister visiting
At almost 138 meters, the Esbern Snare is one of the largest battleships of the Danish Navy. The frigate was commissioned in 2005 and is regularly deployed on international missions. There are approximately 175 crew on board.
The ship was a year ago stationed in the Gulf of Guinea as part of an anti-piracy mission. The waters off the West African coast are some of the most dangerous in the world for merchant shipping. From 2008 to 2017, Danish naval vessels were also active in the region.
Just this week, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is visiting the region. A visit to the Esbern Snare was also scheduled, but she was not on board at the time of the incident, a spokesman said.
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