Somalia Piracy Leaves Five Crew Members Dead
Somalia piracy has left five crew members dead after an oil tanker seized off the Somali coast was retaken by local security forces, a senior regional official told the BBC. The incident involved the MT Hoarner 25, which was taken by six armed men while sailing near Somalia in April.
Puntland Deputy Information Minister Bile Qabowsade said the five crew members were killed by pirates before regional forces boarded the vessel. The victims included three Pakistani nationals, one Indian national and one national of Myanmar.
Four other crew members were injured, including three Pakistanis and one Indian. Authorities have not provided further details about how the five crew members were killed or how the pirates initially gained control of the tanker.
MT Hoarner 25 Retaken by Puntland Forces
The MT Hoarner 25 was carrying about 18,500 barrels of oil destined for Mogadishu when it was seized in April. The vessel was later anchored near the Somali coast between the fishing towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla.
Local security forces eventually boarded the tanker and retook control of the vessel. Officials said 16 suspected pirates have been arrested, while other suspects escaped and were being pursued.
Qabowsade rejected suggestions that Puntland forces had helped some of the pirates escape. Puntland is a semi-autonomous region of Somalia whose security forces took part in the operation to regain control of the tanker.
Somali Pirates Face Arrests After Tanker Hijacking
The authorities have not explained the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the five crew members. They have also not disclosed how the armed men managed to seize the oil tanker or provided further details about the operation that led to its recovery.
Officials had previously said there were 17 crew members aboard when the vessel was hijacked in April. The crew consisted of 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan and one national of Myanmar.
The latest account from Puntland officials indicates that several crew members were killed or injured before the vessel was retaken, while suspected pirates were either arrested or remained at large.
Somalia Coast Piracy Increases Again
Somalia piracy declined sharply after 2011 following international naval operations aimed at reducing attacks on vessels travelling through the region. The number of attacks and hijackings has increased again in recent years, however.
The seizure of the MT Hoarner 25 is the latest incident involving a commercial vessel off the Somali coast. The tanker had been carrying an oil shipment bound for Mogadishu when it was attacked.
With 16 suspected pirates arrested and others still being pursued, local authorities are continuing their efforts following the operation. The incident has also highlighted the renewed security concerns facing vessels travelling along the Somali coast.