The Pakistani foreign ministry has confirmed the deaths of three Pakistani nationals among five crew members who lost their lives during a rescue operation of the hijacked oil tanker "MT Honor 25" off the coast of Somalia. The operation, carried out by the Puntland Maritime Police Force, aimed to free the vessel, which was hijacked by Somali pirates in April. The tanker, flying the flag of Palau, had 19 crew members on board, including 10 Pakistanis.
According to the Pakistani foreign ministry, the rescue operation resulted in the deaths of five crew members, including the three Pakistani nationals. Four crew members were injured, including three Pakistanis, and were receiving medical care at a nearby hospital. The ministry expressed deep sadness over the tragic loss of life and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
The Puntland Maritime Police Force announced on Tuesday that they had successfully recovered the hijacked tanker in a planned operation in the Daren-Bar area of the Bender Bella province. The force said they had arrested 21 suspected pirates and were continuing to search for other members of the group. The operation was carried out by both sea and land units of the police force.
The hijacking of the "MT Honor 25" occurred in April, and since then, there had been no progress in negotiations or payment of a ransom, reportedly $3 million, to secure the release of the hostages and the vessel. During their captivity, crew members recorded several videos and voice messages, pleading for help and stating that they had run out of clean drinking water, food, and medicine.
Somali piracy has seen a resurgence, with at least 15 attacks recorded since April, the highest number since 2013. The Pakistani foreign ministry stated that they were in close contact with Somali authorities and other concerned parties through their diplomatic missions and relevant agencies. A Pakistani team from the embassy in Djibouti was heading to Bender Bella to provide assistance to the Pakistani nationals.
The rescued crew members were safely transferred to the shore in Bender Bella, and the recovered vessel was now under the control of the Puntland government. The incident highlights the ongoing threat of piracy in the region and the need for international cooperation to combat it.
The Pakistani foreign ministry's confirmation of the deaths of the three Pakistani nationals serves as a reminder of the risks faced by crew members and the importance of ensuring their safety and security. The incident will likely lead to further discussions on measures to prevent piracy and protect shipping in the region.
Key points
- Three Pakistani nationals were among five crew members killed in the rescue operation of the hijacked oil tanker "MT Honor 25" off the coast of Somalia.
