Twenty-Two Indian Sailors Held Hostage in Separate Pirate Hijackings Off Somalia and Yemen
NEW DELHI — A major maritime security crisis is unfolding in the waters off East Africa, where armed pirates have seized two commercial vessels, taking 22 Indian crew members hostage in separate, high-stakes incidents.
The Indian Ministry of Shipping confirmed on Friday that all crew members currently being held are safe. The hijackings, which occurred within days of each other, have raised fresh concerns regarding the safety of merchant mariners in one of the world’s most perilous shipping corridors.
M/V LUTUF Hijacked Off the Somali Coast
The first incident involved the Cameroon-flagged vessel M/V LUTUF. On August 17, the ship was boarded by eight armed pirates approximately three and a half nautical miles off the coast of Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district.
Reports indicate that the pirates, who are suspected of being involved in previous maritime crimes, forced their way onto the bridge despite the crew initially attempting to retreat to the ship’s citadel for safety. The vessel, which was carrying specialized cargo including military communications equipment and satellite gear destined for a training facility in Mogadishu, was subsequently redirected toward the Nugaal coast.
The 10-person crew aboard M/V LUTUF includes six Indian nationals, one Turkish national, one Georgian national, and two Serbian security guards.
M.T. Sibu 1 Seized in the Gulf of Aden
Just three days later, on August 20, a second vessel, the Eritrea-flagged oil tanker M.T. Sibu 1 (also known as Seamull), was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel issued a distress signal after six armed pirates stormed the ship and seized control.
The tanker, which was carrying a crew of 20, including 16 Indian sailors, was forced to alter its course toward Somalia. Officials noted that the attackers were heavily armed with AK-47-style weapons and utilized skiffs to approach and board the moving tanker.
India’s Diplomatic Response
The Indian government has mobilized its diplomatic resources to monitor the situation. "Two foreign-flagged vessels were involved. One had 16 Indian nationals on board, while the other had six," stated ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. "We are in touch with authorities; all of them are reportedly safe."
These incidents occur against a backdrop of escalating regional instability. Indian seafarers are facing mounting security risks across the Middle East, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, where ongoing tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States continue to disrupt critical global shipping lanes.
The vulnerability of these merchant vessels has once again spotlighted the strategic importance of the region, which remains a primary hub for international maritime trade. As one of the world’s largest suppliers of merchant sailors—boasting over 320,000 active seafarers as of 2025—India remains deeply invested in the maritime security of its citizens working abroad.
Authorities remain in communication with international maritime security agencies to secure the safe release of the crew members. No injuries have been reported, and the situation remains fluid as negotiations for the release of the vessels and their personnel continue.
