All seven Pakistani crew members who survived a pirate attack off Somalia's coast have been rescued, Pakistan's foreign minister announced. The Palau-flagged oil tanker, MT Honour, was hijacked by Somali pirates in late April, approximately 30 nautical miles off Somalia's coast while en route to Mogadishu. Ten of the 17 crew members aboard were Pakistani nationals. The incident resulted in the deaths of three Pakistani crew members.
The last three Pakistani survivors were rescued and flown to Addis Ababa, accompanied by a team from the Pakistani Embassy in Djibouti. They are expected to depart the Ethiopian capital for Karachi on the first available Ethiopian Airlines flight on Wednesday, according to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. This development comes after four other Pakistani crew members were rescued in late September and arrived in Karachi on Sunday.
The rescued crew members were received by a team from the Pakistani Embassy in Djibouti, which facilitated their transportation to Addis Ababa. From there, they will travel to Karachi, marking the end of their ordeal. The incident highlights the risks faced by crew members on international vessels and the efforts of governments to secure their safe release.
The hijacking of the MT Honour occurred in late April, and the incident has been closely monitored by the international community. The rescue of the surviving crew members brings relief to their families and the Pakistani government. The incident also underscores the need for continued cooperation to combat piracy in the region.
Three Pakistani crew members lost their lives during the hijacking, and their remains have been repatriated to Pakistan. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by crew members and the importance of securing their safety. The Pakistani government has been actively involved in securing the release of its nationals.
The rescue of the surviving crew members is a positive development in the efforts to secure the safe release of hostages. The incident highlights the importance of international cooperation to combat piracy and ensure the safety of crew members. The Pakistani government has expressed gratitude for the support received from other countries.
The seven surviving Pakistani crew members will undergo medical checks and debriefing upon their arrival in Karachi. Their ordeal has come to an end, and they will be reunited with their families. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and cooperation to prevent such incidents in the future.
Key points
- The seven Pakistani crew members were rescued and flown to Addis Ababa, and are expected to depart for Karachi on Wednesday.
- The incident resulted in the deaths of three Pakistani crew members, and their remains have been repatriated to Pakistan.
- The rescue brings relief to the families of the crew members and the Pakistani government.
