FO expresses condolences over deaths of five crew members in Somalia rescue operation

The Foreign Office (FO) on Wednesday expressed condolences over the deaths of five crew members, including three Pakistani nationals, during the operation to recover the hijacked vessel MT Honour 25 off the coast of Somalia.

According to a post on X, the FO said the government was making efforts to arrange medical treatment for the three injured Pakistani nationals and ensure that the bodies of the deceased nationals were transported to Pakistan.

The three deceased Pakistani nationals were identified as Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer, and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.

“The Government and people of Pakistan extend their deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” the FO said. It added, “We share their grief at this painful time and pray for strength, patience, and comfort for the families, and for the departed souls to rest in peace.”

The statement noted that four other crew members were injured during the incident, of which three were Pakistani nationals. “The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital and are receiving medical care.”

The Foreign Office also stated that the surviving crew members of the vessel had been brought safely ashore at Bandar Beyla. “Pakistan’s team at the embassy in Djibouti is proceeding to Bandar Beyla to assist the Pakistani nationals,” it said.

The statement further stated that the government, “through its Mission and relevant authorities, remains in close contact with the Somali authorities and other concerned stakeholders.”

“Every possible effort is being made to ensure proper medical care for the injured, facilitate the transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased; and ensure the safe return of the surviving Pakistani crew members,” it concluded.

The oil tanker Honour 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on April 21. There were 17 crew members aboard, 10 of whom were Pakistani nationals. The families of the Pakistani hostages have continuously appealed to the government for the safe release of their loved ones.

During their captivity, the pirates initially demanded a ransom of $3 million for their release. The demand was later reduced to $1.9 million and subsequently to $1 million. Other than the Pakistani nationals who lost their lives, the deceased also included an Indian crew member, Tanveer, and a chief engineer from Myanmar.

The pirates came under pressure during the operation and, while retreating from the vessel, opened indiscriminate fire on the kidnapped crew before fleeing the ship. The injured sailors were identified as Usman, Yasir, Ameen and Vicky, who hailed from Indonesia. Crewmembers Hussain Yousuf, Imran Ali and Yaseen remained safe.

Read: DPM Dar directs intensified diplomatic efforts for safe, early release of 10 Pakistani hostages

Two surviving Pakistani crewmembers told a human rights lawyer that Somali pirates had killed five kidnapped sailors, including three Pakistanis, and injured four others aboard the MT Honour 25 while fleeing the maritime police.

Pakistani sailors Hussain Yousuf and Imran Ali, who survived the incident, contacted the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust office in Karachi, using the ship captain’s mobile phone, and provided details of the incident, according to the trust.

Somalia’s Puntland Maritime Police Force said they had rescued another oil tanker, days after a rescue operation ended with pirates escaping in suspicious circumstances. They added that the Honour 25 had 18,500 barrels of oil on board when it was hijacked.

The Gulf of Aden and Somalia coasts have seen a resurgence in piracy since April, according to figures from the International Maritime Organisation, with at least 15 attacks this year, the highest since 2013.