A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of Somalia when pirates hijacked the Palau‑flagged fuel tanker MT Honour 25, killing five crew members before security forces regained control.
The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) confirmed that the victims included three Pakistanis, one Indian, and one Myanmar national. The operation to retake the vessel was launched early Tuesday, following reports that pirates had seized the tanker and attacked its crew.
Authorities said another sailor was injured but survived the ordeal. The PMPF’s swift intervention prevented further casualties and ensured the vessel was secured. The tanker, carrying vital fuel supplies, had become a target in the increasingly volatile waters off Somalia, where piracy remains a persistent threat despite international efforts to curb it.
The deaths have sparked concern across South Asia, with India, Pakistan, and Myanmar mourning the loss of their nationals. Maritime experts warn that the incident highlights the resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa, posing risks to global shipping routes.
Investigations are underway to identify the pirate group responsible, while international shipping authorities are urging heightened vigilance in the region.
