The High Commission of India in Nairobi has confirmed that 22 Indian seafarers were rescued after two foreign-flagged vessels were reportedly hijacked in waters near Somalia and Yemen.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to the mission, which also handles diplomatic affairs with Somalia, six Indian nationals were aboard MV Lutuf, and 16 were on MT Sibu when the vessels were hijacked on August 17 and 20, respectively.

“We have taken up the matter of Indian seafarers onboard vessels MT Sibu (Eritrea-flagged) and MV Lutuf (Cameroon-flagged) with the concerned authorities in Somalia. It is understood that there are reportedly 16 Indian seafarers onboard MT Sibu and 6 Indian seafarers onboard MV Lutuf. All Indian seafarers are reportedly safe,” the High Commission wrote in an update on Friday.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal added that India is maintaining contact with the concerned authorities to protect the sailors.

📌 What You Need to Know

“So far, we have learnt that all 22 of our citizens on board are safe. We are in touch with the relevant authorities on this matter so that we can ensure the safety and well-being of our people,” he stated.

The safety confirmation offered reassurance to the seafarers’ families as India’s government and missions continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Shipping, maritime authorities and relevant agencies to monitor the situation.

The two vessels were reportedly seized in separate incidents involving armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia’s Puntland coast.

MT Sibu, an oil products tanker carrying 20 crew members, including nationals from Syria, Sudan, and Iraq, was reportedly hijacked on Thursday about 30 nautical miles off Yemen.

MV Lutuf, which had 10 sailors aboard, was reportedly seized earlier off Puntland in Somalia.

The High Commission said it had raised the matter with relevant authorities in Somalia following reports of the hijackings.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke