An Indian sailor, Mohammed Tanweeruz Zaman, was among five crew members killed on a fuel tanker that was retaken from pirates off the coast of Somalia. The Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 was seized on April 21 with 17 people aboard, transporting 18,500 barrels of oil to Mogadishu. The Puntland Maritime Police Force intercepted the vessel on September 29 and released a statement saying the pirates killed five crew members before their operation.
The killed crew members included three Pakistanis and one citizen of Myanmar, along with Indian national Mohammed Tanweeruz Zaman. Manoj Yadav, secretary-general of the Forward Seamen's Union of India, confirmed that Zaman's family received photographs of his remains on Wednesday. The family is pleading with Indian authorities to help repatriate his body, with his mother saying, "Please bring him back... We have already been in distress for the last five months."
Zaman worked as a cook on board the MT Honour 25 and was the only Indian on board. Yadav stated that during hijacking incidents, cooks are usually left free to provide meals to all crew members, including hijackers. The circumstances surrounding Zaman's killing are still unclear, and Yadav emphasized that it needs to be established whether the sailors were killed before or during the exchange of fire.
The Puntland Maritime Police Force retaking the vessel was a significant operation, and the incident highlights the risks faced by sailors working on commercial vessels. The Forward Seamen's Union of India is assisting Zaman's family and trying to gather more information about the incident. Yadav mentioned that the union's team is still with the family in Kolkata, working to reach out to other authorities.
The incident off Somalia's coast is a reminder of the security concerns in the region. Piracy has been a persistent threat in the area, and authorities have been working to combat it. The Puntland Maritime Police Force's operation demonstrates efforts to maintain security and protect shipping lanes.
The repatriation of Zaman's remains is a priority for his family, who are experiencing deep distress. The Indian authorities have been urged to assist in the repatriation process. The incident has also raised questions about the safety of sailors working on commercial vessels and the measures in place to protect them.
The killing of the five crew members on board the MT Honour 25 is under investigation, and more information is expected to come to light. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by sailors and the importance of ensuring their safety and security while working on commercial vessels.
Key points
- Indian sailor Mohammed Tanweeruz Zaman killed on ship seized by pirates off Somalia's coast
- Family pleads for repatriation of Zaman's remains
- Incident highlights security concerns and risks faced by sailors working on commercial vessels
