The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday, October 1, 2026, that eight Egyptian sailors who were held captive aboard an oil tanker hijacked off Somalia's Puntland region had been released. The sailors, who were aboard the M/T Eureka, were freed after sustained diplomatic efforts by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty with Somali and Yemeni officials.
The M/T Eureka was hijacked on May 2 off the coast of Puntland, a region in northeastern Somalia. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry had instructed its embassy in Mogadishu to work towards the safety and swift release of the sailors. The ministry confirmed that the sailors remained in contact with their families during their captivity to reassure them about their safety.
The release of the sailors followed a series of diplomatic contacts by Foreign Minister Abdelatty, who also instructed the Egyptian Embassy in Mogadishu to receive the sailors, check on their well-being, and arrange their return to Egypt on the earliest available flight. The Egyptian government had been working closely with Somali and Yemeni officials to secure the release of the sailors.
The hijacking of the M/T Eureka occurred amid rising security tensions in the region, where Somali waters saw widespread piracy between 2008 and 2018. Although piracy declined for several years, it re-emerged in late 2023. The Yemeni Coast Guard had reported on May 2 that an oil tanker had been hijacked off the coast of Shabwah province in southeastern Yemen and taken toward Somalia.
The tanker was carrying 12 Egyptian and Indian sailors, as well as 2,800 tons of fuel, according to the Yemeni Coast Guard. However, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry later confirmed that there were eight Egyptian sailors aboard the vessel. The incident highlighted the security concerns in the region, where piracy continues to pose a threat to maritime trade.
The Egyptian government had been working to ensure the safe release of its citizens, and the release of the sailors is a significant breakthrough in this effort. The incident also underscores the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to address security concerns in the region and ensure the safety of maritime trade.
The released sailors are expected to return to Egypt on the earliest available flight, after which they will likely undergo medical check-ups and debriefing. Their release brings an end to a challenging ordeal for the sailors and their families, who had been anxiously waiting for their safe return.
Key points
- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty played a key role in securing the release of the sailors through diplomatic contacts with Somali and Yemeni officials.
- The incident highlights the ongoing security concerns in the region, where piracy continues to pose a threat to maritime trade.
- The release of the sailors marks a significant breakthrough in Egypt's efforts to ensure the safe release of its citizens held captive abroad.
