India Raises Hijacking of Two Commercial Vessels Carrying 22 Indian Sailors With Somalia

India has taken up with Somali authorities the hijacking of two foreign-flagged commercial vessels carrying a total of 22 Indian sailors in separate incidents off Yemen and Somalia.

The Indian High Commission in Kenya said in a social media post that all Indian seafarers aboard the two vessels are reportedly safe. The mission said it has raised the matter with the concerned authorities in Somalia and reiterated that India attaches the highest importance to the safety and welfare of its seafaring community.

The Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker MT Sibu 1, carrying 20 crew members, including 16 Indians, was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on August 20. The vessel was reportedly about 30 nautical miles off the Yemeni coast when armed pirates seized it.

In the second incident, the Cameroon-flagged MV Lutuf, carrying 10 crew members, including six Indian sailors, was hijacked off Somalia’s Puntland coast on August 17.

The incidents have renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and Indian seafarers operating in volatile waters in the region.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also addressed the issue during his bi-weekly media briefing, reiterating the government’s commitment to safeguarding Indian mariners and ensuring their welfare.

Indian authorities are continuing to coordinate with the relevant authorities as efforts are made to secure the vessels and ensure the safety of all crew members.