Archive · 21 Aug 2026
India Seeks Somalia’s Help After Two Vessel Hijackings
Two ships carrying Indian sailors were reportedly taken by pirates.
One ship is called MT Sibu 1, and the other is called MV Lutuf.
There are 22 Indian sailors on the two ships altogether.
Sixteen are on MT Sibu 1, while six are on MV Lutuf.
Indian officials said all of them were reportedly safe.
India contacted authorities in Somalia about the situation.
The first ship was taken near Yemen in the Gulf of Aden.
The second ship was taken near Puntland, Somalia.
India raised the hijacking of two foreign-flagged vessels with Somali authorities.
The vessels reportedly carry 22 Indian seafarers: 16 aboard MT Sibu and six aboard MV Lutuf.
All 22 Indian sailors were reportedly safe, according to Indian officials.
MT Sibu 1 was hijacked on August 20 in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen.
MV Lutuf was seized on August 17 off Somalia’s Puntland coast.
- Who
- The Indian High Commission in Kenya, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Somali authorities, and 22 Indian seafarers aboard MT Sibu 1 and MV Lutuf.
- What
- India raised the reported hijacking of two foreign-flagged commercial vessels and said the 22 Indian sailors aboard were reportedly safe.
- When
- The hijackings were reported on August 17 and August 20; India issued its confirmation on Friday, August 21.
- Where
- MT Sibu 1 was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden about 30 nautical miles from Yemen; MV Lutuf was seized off Somalia’s Puntland coast.
- Why
- India said it contacted Somali authorities to protect the safety and welfare of the Indian seafarers.
- Indian seafarers involved
- 22 total: 16 aboard MT Sibu 1 and six aboard MV Lutuf.
- MT Sibu 1
- An Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker carrying 20 crew members.
- MV Lutuf
- A Cameroon-flagged vessel carrying 10 crew members, including six Indians.
- Reported status
- All 22 Indian seafarers were reportedly safe.
- MT Sibu 1 hijacking
- Reportedly occurred on August 20 in the Gulf of Aden, about 30 nautical miles off Yemen.
- MV Lutuf hijacking
- Reportedly occurred on August 17 off Somalia’s Puntland coast.
- India’s response
- Indian officials said they raised the matter with relevant authorities in Somalia and were monitoring the situation.
