Four injured Pakistani crew members rescued from the hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25 are returning to Karachi along with the mortal remains of three colleagues who were killed during the incident.
Pakistan’s ambassadors to Djibouti and Ethiopia saw off the four injured sailors Usman Ghani, Aqeel Khan, Ameen bin Shams and Yasir Khan — as well as the remains of Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmad Ansari from Addis Ababa.
The seven Pakistanis are scheduled to arrive in Karachi aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 694.
The crew members were among 10 Pakistani nationals aboard MT Honour 25 when the Palau-flagged vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates in April. The ship’s crew also included seven Indonesian nationals, one Indian and one Sri Lankan.
The hostages remained in captivity for around five months, with negotiations over their release reportedly making little progress. A ransom of around $3 million had reportedly been demanded, while concerns grew over the deteriorating health of the crew.
During their captivity, the sailors released several audio and video appeals, saying they were running short of food, clean drinking water and medicines.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office had said it remained actively engaged in efforts to secure the safe release of the crew members.
On September 29, Somali maritime forces recovered MT Honour 25 following an operation against the pirates. Authorities said 21 suspected pirates were arrested during the operation, while efforts continued to locate other individuals linked to the hijacking.
According to an official account, five crew members were killed before the security operation began. The deceased included three Pakistanis, one Myanmar national and one Indian.
However, Advocate Quratulain of the Ansar Burney Trust gave a different account, saying the pirates moved the hostages onto the vessel’s deck after becoming aware that Puntland security forces were approaching.
She said the pirates tied the hostages’ hands and threatened to kill them if security forces attempted an operation without paying the ransom. According to her, the ransom demand had been reduced from $3 million to $1 million.
Quratulain alleged that the pirates opened fire on the hostages as the security operation began, killing three Pakistanis, one Indian and one Myanmar national.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a relief package worth Rs12.5 million for the families of the Pakistani sailors who were killed during the hijacking.
The injured crew members are expected to receive medical assistance following their arrival in Karachi, while arrangements are being made for the burial of the deceased sailors.
