Four Indonesian seamen who were kidnapped and held hostage by Somali pirates aboard an oil tanker for more than five months have arrived back home. The men were among 17 crew members rescued a week ago when maritime police from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in northern Somalia stormed the Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 tanker that was hijacked in April. The seamen were received at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport by their families and officials.
The rescue operation resulted in the deaths of five crew members - three Pakistanis, an Indian, and a Myanmar national. The four Indonesians were among those rescued and have now returned home. The incident highlights the resurgence of Somali piracy, with at least 15 attacks reported since April, the highest number since 2013. Puntland police have faced criticism for failing to act against a new pirate network that has been highly active in the region this year.
The Indonesian seamen were welcomed home with a ceremony at the airport, where they were greeted by their families and officials, including Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir. The minister thanked the ship's Indonesian skipper, Ashari Samadikun, for helping ensure the surviving crew members remained safe during the rescue. He also expressed appreciation to the families for their patience during the ordeal.
Ashari Samadikun expressed regret for the deaths of the five crew members, apologizing to their families for not being able to bring them back safely. The Puntland police statement reported that the Honour 25 had 18,500 barrels of oil on board. During the rescue operation, sixteen pirates were detained, while others fled towards the shore and moved inland.
The Puntland police have been actively responding to pirate attacks in the region. Days before the Honour 25 rescue, they rescued another oil tanker, the Sibu 1. However, several pirates arrested in the operation escaped while being transferred to jail. The police also responded to the hijacking of the MT Eureka, forcing pirates to run the vessel aground before abandoning it and disembarking the crew.
All crew members of the MT Eureka were later confirmed safe, according to the police, while the pirates fled ashore. The incident highlights the challenges faced by Puntland police in combating piracy in the region. The police have faced criticism for not doing enough to prevent pirate attacks and for not holding pirates accountable for their crimes.
The return of the four Indonesian seamen is a welcome relief for their families, who had been waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by seafarers and the need for continued efforts to combat piracy in the region. The four Indonesian seamen were grateful to be back home, and their ordeal is now over.
Key points
- Four Indonesian seamen were rescued after being held hostage by Somali pirates for over five months.
- The rescue operation resulted in the deaths of five crew members.
- Somali piracy has seen a resurgence, with at least 15 attacks reported since April.
