Puntland authorities say Somali pirates killed five crew members, including three Pakistanis, before security forces regained control of hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25.
Three Pakistani sailors were among five crew members allegedly killed by Somali pirates before Puntland security forces regained control of the hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25, according to authorities in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region.
Puntland Deputy Information Minister Bile Qabowsade said the crew members were killed before regional security forces boarded the vessel. The dead included three Pakistanis, one Indian national and one Myanmar citizen.
Four other crew members — three Pakistanis and one Indian national — were injured, according to Puntland authorities. Security forces said 16 suspected pirates were arrested, while efforts were continuing to locate others who escaped.
The Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 was hijacked on April 21 while sailing off Somalia with around 18,500 barrels of oil destined for Mogadishu. The vessel had 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistanis, on board when it was seized.
Qabowsade rejected allegations that Puntland security personnel had assisted some pirates in escaping. Authorities have not yet released detailed information explaining exactly how the five sailors were killed.
The tanker had remained in pirate captivity for more than five months. The Ansar Burney Trust earlier said the pirates had demanded millions of dollars in ransom for the crew’s release, while families of the Pakistani sailors repeatedly appealed to authorities for their safe recovery.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, has said reports concerning Pakistani casualties have yet to be independently verified. Pakistan’s mission in Djibouti, which is accredited to Somalia, is in contact with relevant authorities to establish the facts.
Pakistan had previously confirmed that 10 Pakistani nationals were among the crew held hostage and said it had been pursuing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts with Somali authorities for their release.
Further official information is expected regarding the surviving Pakistani crew members, the injured sailors and arrangements for the repatriation of those killed.