

In 2009, the Indian Ocean was the setting for a wave of daring hijackings. Somalian pirates sailing nothing more than skiffs were attacking dozens of ships and taking the crews hostage in exchange for large sums of money. This is the fate of the Belgian ship the Pompei. Back in Brussels, a dedicated team assemble to do everything they can to free the 10-man crew. Meanwhile, the Belgian police identify the culprits and begin to pursue them. After zooming in on the leader of the biggest pirate cartel, the police put together a risky undercover operation. In an inventive twist of metadrama, they ultimately lure him out of his hideout – and into a Belgian courtroom. In this three-part documentary series, the key players from the ship’s crew, Belgian law enforcement and the Somali pirates themselves, look back on this remarkable story.
3 Eps.
In 2009, the Indian Ocean was the setting for a wave of daring hijackings. Somalian pirates sailing nothing more than skiffs were attacking dozens of ships and taking the crews hostage in exchange for large sums of money. This is the fate of the Belgian ship the Pompei. Back in Brussels, a dedicated team assemble to do everything they can to free the 10-man crew. Meanwhile, the Belgian police identify the culprits and begin to pursue them. After zooming in on the leader of the biggest pirate cartel, the police put together a risky undercover operation. In an inventive twist of metadrama, they ultimately lure him out of his hideout – and into a Belgian courtroom. In this three-part documentary series, the key players from the ship’s crew, Belgian law enforcement and the Somali pirates themselves, look back on this remarkable story.
3 Eps.
Ends 29 May 2026
Can, Eng, Dut
Chi, Eng
4K
Bilingual
Director
Lennart Stuyck
Maarten Stuyck


New
E1
Episode 1
E1
Episode 1
New
Belgian vessel Pompei sets off from Dubai to South Africa for a routine dredging job. Sailing past the Seychelles…
52mins
Ends 29 May 2026


New
E2
Episode 2
E2
Episode 2
New
Following weeks of gruelling negotiations with the captors, the Pompei and its crew are released…
52mins
Ends 29 May 2026


New
E3
Episode 3
E3
Episode 3
New
An elaborate undercover operation is set up to lure Afweyne to Belgium. Local governor Tiiceey is used…
52mins
Ends 29 May 2026


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