Five killed during rescue of hijacked ship in Somalia, Indian among the dead

October 1, 2026

Mogadishu: Five crew members were killed during an operation to rescue a hijacked fuel tanker off the coast of Somalia. An Indian national was among the deceased. The incident occurred when security forces launched an operation to free the ship from pirates.

According to the Puntland Maritime Police Force, the deceased include three Pakistanis and one Myanmar national. Four other crew members were injured in the incident, including one Indian and three Pakistani nationals.

Tanker hijacked in April

The Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia in April. At the time, the ship was carrying approximately 18,500 barrels of petroleum products and had 17 crew members on board.

According to Puntland officials, security forces have recaptured the tanker following an operation. The ship has since been placed under the protection of the Puntland government.

16 Suspected Pirates Arrested

Officials said 16 suspected pirates were arrested during the operation. The search for others involved in the hijacking is ongoing.

This incident off the coast of Somalia has renewed concerns about piracy. According to officials, pirate activity appears to be on the rise in the region after several years of relative calm.