Somali pirates are demanding millions of dollars in ransom for the release of 10 Pakistani sailors aboard the hijacked oil tanker Honour 25.
Sea-news.az reports that this information was published by the Hiiraan Online portal.
Reports the demanded ransom amount is $3 million.
Pirates seized the Honour 25 tanker on July 25 of this year while it was en route from the Persian Gulf to Somalia. The incident occurred approximately 50 kilometers off the Somali coast, between the cities of Berbera and Mogadishu. Carrying 18,500 tons of fuel, the ship had a 17-member crew on board, including citizens of India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The hostage sailors had previously appealed for help, reporting shortages of drinking water, food, and medicine. According to them, the health of some crew members has deteriorated due to prolonged captivity and the lack of necessary medications.
Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities have stated that they are making diplomatic efforts to secure the release of their citizens and are in contact with the Somali government. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, had earlier instructed that work to repatriate the sailors be expedited.
Local media noted that this incident could be a sign of the first noticeable resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast since 2011—a period when international coalition operations had significantly curtailed pirate activity.
