Five sailors were killed in an attack by Somali pirates on the oil tanker Honour 25, marking the first death of sailors at the hands of Somali pirates in over a decade. Puntland security forces managed to free the tanker after it was seized.
Details of the Attack and Casualties
According to published information, three Pakistani sailors, one Indian sailor, and one middle-aged sailor were killed in this attack. Four other sailors, including three Pakistanis and one Indian, were also injured in the attack. 16 suspected pirates were arrested in this operation.
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Status of the Oil Tanker Honour 25
The oil tanker Honour 25, carrying approximately 18,500 barrels of oil and 17 sailors, was hijacked on April 21, about 30 nautical miles off the coast of Puntland. This incident was part of four maritime attacks within four days, which raised the level of security threats along the Somali coast. The situation on the tanker had severely deteriorated, with sailors facing shortages of food and drinking water, and some had developed health issues.
Recent Developments in Somali Piracy
In recent months, piracy off the coast of Somalia has seen a resurgence. From April 2023 to mid-September, eight successful attacks on ships have occurred. Pirates are increasingly using fishing boats and dhows as mother ships to expand their operational range. Currently, Puntland forces have also freed the tanker Eureka, and with the release of other vessels, the number of freed ships has reached five out of six that were hijacked in late August.
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