4 of 10 Pakistani crew members rescued from pirates off Somalia
Bodies of 3 crew members being repatriated, while 3 others remain aboard vessel, says Pakistani foreign minister
Four of 10 Pakistani crew members held hostage by pirates aboard a vessel off Somalia have been safely rescued and are due to arrive in Karachi on Saturday.
The development followed “sustained efforts” by Pakistan’s Foreign Office and its Embassy in Djibouti, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on US social media company X.
Dar said the bodies of three Pakistani crew members who died were also being repatriated.
“My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families, who are going through a deeply painful time,” Dar said.
Three other Pakistani crew members remain aboard the vessel along with its captain, according to the foreign minister.
“We are actively coordinating with our friendly countries to facilitate their safe extraction and earliest possible return to Pakistan,” he said.
The Palau-flagged oil tanker Honour 25 was hijacked off the northern coast of Somalia on April 21 while en route to Mogadishu, according to the EU Naval Force’s Operation Atalanta.
The vessel had 17 crew members on board.
news_share_description subscription_contact