Pirates Hijack Two Cargo Ships Carrying 22 Indians off Yemen and Somalia
Two commercial vessels carrying a total of 22 Indian nationals have been hijacked by armed pirates in separate incidents off Yemen and Somalia, according to an Indian shipping ministry official.
The latest incident involved MT Sibu 1, an Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker carrying 20 crew members, including 16 Indians. The vessel was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden, around 30 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen, on August 20, the official told PTI.
Earlier, on August 17, a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship was hijacked off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland. The vessel was carrying 10 crew members, including six Indian nationals, according to the official.
The two incidents involved a combined total of 22 Indian crew members. The Indian shipping ministry official said that, according to the latest information available, all the Indian crew members are safe.
What the Incidents Mean for Maritime Safety
The two hijackings highlight the continuing security challenges faced by commercial vessels operating in waters around Yemen and Somalia. From a maritime-security perspective, the incidents demonstrate the importance of maintaining vigilance and effective safety measures for ships and crews navigating areas where piracy remains a concern. The safety of the 22 Indian seafarers remains the immediate priority, while the separate incidents also underline the importance of continued attention to maritime security in the region.
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