Crew members aboard the hijacked oil tanker Honer 25 have reported a critical shortage of food, medicine, and drinking water. The sailors, which include 10 Pakistani nationals, informed their families of the deteriorating conditions on Saturday.
Crisis on the Honer 25
The vessel was seized on April 21 by more than 50 sea pirates while traveling from Oman to Somalia. There are 17 crew members in total currently held captive.
Kashif Umar, the ship’s third officer from Karachi, stated that the only food remaining on board is rice, which is boiled and consumed once per day. He further noted that three crew members are currently ill, but all medical supplies have been exhausted.
“They are now forced to drink the dirty, muddy water used by the pirates because the pirates have exhausted the crew’s own water supply,” Umar said.
Appeals for Intervention
The ship’s captain, a citizen of the Philippines, sent a video message to the Ansar Burney Trust. In the recording, the captain presented documents regarding the ship’s owner and urged the government of Pakistan to contact both the owner and the pirates to secure the release of the Pakistani crew.
The head of the Ansar Burney Trust reported that the ship has made repeated pleas for help. However, the trust alleged that the government has remained completely silent and noted that they cannot facilitate the sailors’ release without government cooperation.
Government Response and Current Status
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated during a weekly briefing that Pakistan is in contact with the Somali government. He indicated that Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti has communicated with Somali authorities, including the foreign ministry.
The vessel is currently anchored off the coast of Eyl in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia. Andrabi stated that the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been “very cooperative” and is monitoring the situation, adding, “We have fair reason to believe that our crew members are safe and secure.”
Potential Next Steps
The situation may evolve if the government of Pakistan chooses to form a committee for the release of the hostages, as urged by the families of the sailors.
Further communication could occur if the pirates continue to allow the hostages periodic contact with their families, as they have done twice now. A resolution may also depend on the level of cooperation between the Ansar Burney Trust and official state channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many crew members are held on the Honer 25?
There are 17 crew members on board, 10 of whom are Pakistani.
Where is the hijacked oil tanker currently located?
The vessel is anchored off the coast of Eyl in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia.
What are the reported living conditions of the sailors?
The crew has run out of medicines and drinking water, forcing them to drink muddy water used by pirates. Their only food source is rice, eaten once a day.
Do you believe international diplomatic cooperation is sufficient to resolve maritime hijackings, or is a more direct approach necessary?
