Eight Egyptian sailors who were held captive aboard the M/T Eureka off the coast of Somalia's Puntland region since May 2 have been released, Egypt's Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday. The sailors were freed following months of diplomatic efforts by Cairo with Somali and Yemeni officials. The Egyptian government had been working tirelessly to secure their release, with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty personally involved in the negotiations.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the M/T Eureka had been hijacked from Yemeni territorial waters and transferred to Somali waters near Puntland, with eight Egyptian sailors aboard. The ministry had maintained contacts with Somali and Yemeni authorities, as well as the company that owns the vessel, urging it to fulfil its responsibilities towards the crew. The Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu had also been closely involved in the negotiations, working to ensure the sailors' safety and well-being.
The release of the sailors followed high-level contacts between Egyptian officials and their Somali and Yemeni counterparts. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had instructed the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu to receive the sailors, check on their condition, and arrange their return to Egypt on the earliest available flight. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nader Zaki, confirmed that the sailors were now safe and would be returning home soon.
During their detention, the Egyptian government had worked to ensure the sailors' basic needs and living conditions were met. The ministry's consular department had also met with the sailors' families to brief them on the efforts to secure their release. The Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu had facilitated communications between the crew and their relatives, providing much-needed support during the ordeal.
The release of the Egyptian sailors comes amid renewed concerns over maritime security off Somalia, where piracy incidents have resurfaced. Earlier this week, Puntland authorities reported that Somali pirates had killed five crew members of another tanker before security forces rescued the vessel. The incident was unrelated to the Egyptian sailors but highlighted the ongoing risks to maritime security in the region.
The Egyptian government had been working closely with the international community to address the issue of piracy in the region. The Foreign Ministry had urged the international community to take a more robust approach to tackling piracy and ensuring the safety of shipping lanes. The release of the Egyptian sailors was a positive development, but the incident highlighted the need for continued vigilance and cooperation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Egyptian sailors' ordeal has now come to an end, and they will return home to their families. The government had been working tirelessly to secure their release, and their efforts have paid off. The incident served as a reminder of the risks faced by sailors and the importance of international cooperation to ensure their safety. The Egyptian government will continue to work with the international community to address the issue of piracy and ensure the safety of its citizens abroad.
Key points
- Egyptian sailors held captive off Somalia's Puntland region since May 2 have been released.
- The release followed months of diplomatic efforts by Cairo with Somali and Yemeni officials.
- The incident highlighted the need for continued vigilance and cooperation to prevent piracy incidents in the region.
