India: 22 citizens on 2 hijacked vessels off Yemen, Somalia
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Armed pirates have hijacked two commercial vessels carrying a total of 22 Indian crew members in separate incidents off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia, according to official reports from maritime authorities.
The twin hijackings highlight a sharp resurgence in maritime piracy threats across the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa.
Officials confirmed that all Indian seafarers aboard both vessels are currently safe as monitoring efforts continue.
The Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker M.T. Sibu 1 was hijacked by six armed pirates approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen.
The vessel was carrying 20 crew members, comprising 16 Indian nationals alongside one Syrian, one Sudanese, one Iraqi national, and one seafarer whose nationality remains unconfirmed.
NEW FOOTAGE EMERGES
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More visuals and footage have emerged following the hijacking of two vessels carrying 22 Indian nationals off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia.
Further details are awaited as the situation develops. pic.twitter.com/I5nQS29CsW https://t.co/bqYXaG7Tzc
Tracking data indicates an unauthorized vessel approached the tanker before control was lost.
India's Directorate of Maritime Administration directed the recruitment agency, SKS Krishiv Marine Services, to file formal incident reports and provide updates via the e-Navik marine casualty system.
In a separate attack, eight pirates armed with AK-47s operating from two skiffs boarded the Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel M/V LUTUF off Marraya in Somalia's Puntland region.
The 10-member crew included six Indian nationals, one Turkish national, one Georgian, and two Serbian security guards. Although the crew initially retreated to the vessel's protected citadel, pirates breached the secure space and forced the crew onto the bridge before taking control of the ship.
According to Somali officials cited by reporting, the vessel—owned by Polar Movement Shipping—was carrying communications equipment, satellite gear, and weapons intended for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu.
The hijackers steered the vessel toward the Nugaal and Dangoroyo coastal districts.
