1 week ago
Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Hijacked Off Yemen, Somalia
Pirates took control of two ships in separate incidents.
One ship was seized near Yemen, and the other was seized near Somalia.
Together, the ships had 22 Indian crew members.
Sixteen Indians were on MT Sibu-1, while six were on M/V LUTUF.
Indian officials said the Indian seafarers were reportedly safe.
Six armed pirates reportedly controlled MT Sibu-1.
Eight armed pirates reportedly boarded M/V LUTUF using two small boats.
The ships’ hijackings raised new concerns about safety for commercial ships in the region.
A report of an airstrike near M/V LUTUF was not independently confirmed.
MT Sibu-1 was hijacked on August 20 in the Gulf of Aden, about 30 nautical miles from Yemen.
M/V LUTUF was seized on August 17 near Marraya off Somalia’s Puntland coast and taken toward the Nugaal coast.
The vessels carried 22 Indian nationals: 16 aboard MT Sibu-1 and six aboard M/V LUTUF.
Indian officials said the Indian seafarers were reportedly safe, with no injuries reported among them.
The incidents renewed concerns about piracy and maritime security around Somalia, Yemen and the Gulf of Aden.
- Who
- Armed pirates, the crews of MT Sibu-1 and M/V LUTUF, 22 Indian seafarers, and Indian authorities.
- What
- Two foreign-flagged commercial vessels were hijacked in separate incidents, with the Indian crew members reportedly safe.
- Where
- MT Sibu-1 was seized in the Gulf of Aden about 30 nautical miles from Yemen; M/V LUTUF was seized near Marraya off Puntland, Somalia.
- When
- M/V LUTUF was hijacked on August 17, MT Sibu-1 on August 20, and the incidents were publicly confirmed on August 21.
- Why
- The articles link the incidents to increased piracy activity and wider maritime-security concerns, but do not state why the vessels were targeted.
Official assurances
Security concerns and uncertainties
Condition of the Indian crew
Official assurances
Indian officials said all 22 Indian seafarers were reportedly safe and that authorities were in contact with relevant officials.
Security concerns and uncertainties
The ships remained under reported pirate control, and the available information was described as preliminary.
Regional security
Official assurances
Authorities said they were monitoring the incidents through relevant maritime agencies and reporting systems.
Security concerns and uncertainties
The hijackings were cited as evidence of renewed piracy risks around Somalia, the Gulf of Aden and wider regional shipping routes.
Reported violence near M/V LUTUF
Official assurances
Reports said an airstrike occurred after a small boat approached the hijacked vessel.
Security concerns and uncertainties
The circumstances of the strike and whether those killed were involved in the hijacking could not be independently verified; the Forward Seamen’s Union of India also circulated footage whose connection to these incidents was unclear.
Key facts
- Indian seafarers affected
- 22 total: 16 aboard MT Sibu-1 and six aboard M/V LUTUF
- MT Sibu-1
- An Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker with 20 crew members, seized on August 20
- MT Sibu-1 location
- The Gulf of Aden, about 30 nautical miles off Yemen’s coast
- M/V LUTUF
- A Cameroon-flagged vessel with 10 crew members, seized off Puntland on August 17
- Reported pirate forces
- Six armed pirates reportedly took control of MT Sibu-1; eight reportedly boarded M/V LUTUF using two skiffs
- Reported crew safety
- Indian officials said the 22 Indian seafarers were reportedly safe; no injuries among them had been reported
- M/V LUTUF cargo
- Turkish weapons, communications equipment and satellite gear reportedly bound for a military training facility in Mogadishu
- Unverified report
- Reports of an airstrike near M/V LUTUF that killed four people and injured two could not be independently verified
Quotes
Senior shipping ministry official
Government official providing information about the hijacking and crew status
“The vessel is reported to have been boarded by eight pirates, armed with AK-47 type weapons and operating from two skiffs. The crew initially mustered in the citadel. However, the pirates gained access and subsequently brought them to the bridge. The vessel is currently under pirate control. No injuries have been reported thus far.”
thehansindia.com
“As far as we know so far, they are safe. We are in touch with the officials with regards to this so that we can take care of their security and well being. I will share further information with you as and when it becomes available.”
theprint.in
Sources
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