Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Six Indians Among Crew of Pirate-Hijacked Ship Off Somalia
Pirates reportedly took a cargo ship called the M/V LUTUF near Somalia.
Ten people were on the ship, including six Indians.
The ship was carrying Turkish weapons and communications equipment to Mogadishu.
Eight pirates reportedly moved the ship toward Somalia’s coast.
Two Turkish-owned ships approached, while Turkish helicopters and drones watched the area.
A small boat later brought khat to the ship.
After the boat left, a reported airstrike killed four men and injured two others.
No one has confirmed who carried out the airstrike or whether the people hit were pirates.
The ship, crew and cargo could not immediately be located or fully accounted for.
Eight pirates reportedly seized the Cameroon-flagged M/V LUTUF off Puntland on Monday.
The 10-member crew included six Indians, one Turkish national, one Georgian national and two Serbian security guards.
The vessel was carrying Turkish weapons, communications equipment and satellite equipment to a military training facility in Mogadishu.
The ship was taken toward the Nugaal coast near Garmaal after being seized about 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya.
A Somali official reported that an airstrike killed four men and wounded two, but the strike and victims’ connection to the hijacking remain unverified.
- Who
- Eight pirates reportedly seized the M/V LUTUF, whose crew comprised six Indians, one Turkish national, one Georgian national and two Serbian security guards.
- What
- A Cameroon-flagged cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons and communications equipment was hijacked.
- When
- The vessel was seized on Monday; the account was reported on Thursday, including in reports published August 21, 2026.
- Where
- It was seized about 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district and taken toward the coast near Garmaal in Dangoroyo district.
- Why
- The reports do not state why the pirates seized the vessel.
Reported Account
Verification Concerns
Hijacking and movement
Reported Account
A Somali official said eight pirates seized the M/V LUTUF and took it toward Puntland’s Nugaal coast.
Verification Concerns
The reports were based on an anonymous official and said the Associated Press could not independently verify all details.
Airstrike
Reported Account
The official said an airstrike after a small boat left the vessel killed four men and wounded two.
Verification Concerns
It was not independently established who carried out the strike or whether those killed were involved in the hijacking.
Response
Reported Account
Two Turkish-owned vessels approached, while Turkish helicopters and drones reportedly monitored the area.
Verification Concerns
Turkish authorities had not immediately commented, and the reports did not confirm that the response had rescued the crew or recovered the vessel.
- Vessel
- M/V LUTUF, a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship
- Crew
- 10 people: six Indians, one Turkish national, one Georgian national and two Serbian security guards
- Owner
- Polar Movement Shipping
- Cargo
- Turkish weapons, communications equipment and satellite equipment
- Destination
- A Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu
- Reported attackers
- Eight pirates believed to be linked to a group previously involved in the April 26 hijacking of the M/V Sward
- Reported airstrike
- Four men were reportedly killed and two wounded; the perpetrator and the victims’ connection to the hijacking were not independently verified
- Status
- The status of the ship, crew and cargo remained unclear in the reports
Sources
6 Indians On Board Hijacked Cargo Ship Carrying Turkish Weapons Near Somalia
Six Indians Among 10 Crew On Cargo Ship Carrying Turkish Weapons Hijacked Off Somalia
Six Indians onboard Cameroon-flagged cargo ship hijacked by pirates off Somalia coast
6 Indians Among Crew Of Pirate-Hijacked Ship Carrying Turkish Weapons Off Somalia
