The High Commission of India in Kenya on Friday confirmed the safety of 22 Indian seafarers on board two foreign-flagged vessels which pirates off the coast of Somalia reportedly hijacked.
“We have taken up the matter of Indian seafarers on board vessels MT Sibu (Eritrea-flagged) and MV Lutuf (Cameroon-flagged) with the concerned authorities in Somalia. It is understood that there are reportedly 16 Indian seafarers onboard MT Sibu and 6 Indian seafarers onboard MV Lutuf. All Indian seafarers are reportedly safe. We attach the highest importance to the safety and welfare of the Indian seafaring community,” the Indian High Commission in Kenya stated on X.
The Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker MT Sibu 1, carrying 20 crew members – including 16 Indian nationals, one Syrian, one Sudanese and one Iraqi – was reportedly hijacked on Thursday by six armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden, roughly 30 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen.
Another vessel, MV Lutuf, with 10 sailors on board, including six Indians, was seized off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland region.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that it is in touch with the relevant authorities on this matter to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian seafarers.
Source: The Hawk
