An oil tanker carrying 18,500 barrels of fuel and 17 foreign crew members has been hijacked by pirates off Somalia’s northeastern coast, according to security officials.
The vessel, identified as Honour 25, was taken over late Wednesday by six armed men when it was around 30 nautical miles offshore. At the time, the tanker was sailing towards Mogadishu.
Officials from Puntland said the ship is now anchored close to the Somali coast between the fishing towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla.
They added that five more armed men later boarded the tanker, increasing the number of attackers to 11.
The crew onboard includes 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan and one from Myanmar.
Pakistan’s maritime authorities have reportedly increased efforts to secure the safe recovery of their nationals. The condition of the crew has not been confirmed.
Tracking data showed the tanker had left Berbera in Somaliland on February 20. It later
Content Original Link:
" target="_blank">
