The Foreign Office confirmed that three Pakistani nationals died during an operation to recover the hijacked MT Honour 25 oil tanker off Somalia’s coast. The ship was seized by Somali pirates in April and had been under their control for several months. Of the original crew of 19, five lost their lives including three Pakistanis; four others were injured, with three being Pakistani nationals. Surviving crew members have been safely brought ashore at Bandar Beyla, while efforts are underway to secure medical care for the wounded and repatriation for the deceased and survivors.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-30,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 30, 2026, Somali pirates killed five crew members aboard the MT Honour 25 before it was recovered by Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) off Somalia’s coast. The tanker had been hijacked on April 21. Among those killed were three Pakistanis, one Indian, and one Myanmar national; additionally, four others were injured, including three Pakistanis and one Indian. The vessel carried approximately 18,500 barrels of oil.
The PMPF conducted a rescue mission in the Dharin-Bar area near Bandar Beyla district where they captured sixteen suspected pirates but several escaped. Pakistani officials from its embassy in Djibouti were assisting the survivors and preparing to repatriate four injured crew members scheduled to arrive in Karachi on October 3, alongside the remains of the deceased.
Written for “Pirated Tanker Rescue Casualties Repa…” on 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 11 other(s) covering the same event.
The Foreign Office (FO) on Wednesday expressed condolences over the death of three Pakistani nationals during an operation to recover the MT Honour 25 oil tanker, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates in April.
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which → express → April
The maritime police force of semi-autonomous Puntland said on Tuesday that it had recovered the MT Honour 25 in an operation.
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it → say → operation
The Palau-flagged oil tanker had 19 crew members on board, including 10 Pakistanis.
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tanker → flag → Pakistanis
In a statement on Wednesday, FO said: “Pakistan is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of five crew members during the operation to recover the hijacked vessel, MT Honour 25, off the coast of Somalia.
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Pakistan → say → Somalia
“Among those who lost their lives are three Pakistani nationals: Rafiullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.
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nationals → lose → lives
The FO added that four crew members were also injured, including three Pakistani nationals.
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“The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital and are receiving medical care,” it added.
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it → injure → care
The surviving crew members of MT Honour 25 “have been brought safely ashore at Bandar Beyla”, a town in Puntland, according to FO.
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members → survive → FO
“Pakistan’s team at the Embassy in Djibouti is proceeding to Bandar Beyla to assist the Pakistani nationals.”
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team → proceed → nationals
The FO said it remains in close contact with the Somali authorities and other concerned stakeholders through its missions and relevant authorities.
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it → say → missions
“Every possible effort is being made to ensure proper medical care for the injured, facilitate the transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased, and ensure the safe return of the surviving Pakistani crew members,” the statement read.
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statement → make → members
After its hijacking in April, months had passed with no progress either in negotiations or the payment of the ransom, said to be around $3 million, for the recovery of the hostages.
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months → pass → hostages
The hostages were said to be victims of an “ownership crisis”, as it was not clearly established who owned the ship — the man previously thought to be an owner was later revealed to be more likely a middleman who hired them.
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who → say → them
Since its hijacking, the crew had made several emotional videos and audio appeals, reporting that they had run out of clean water, food and medicine.
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they → make → water
Meanwhile, their families launched an international appeal, calling on foreign governments, the United Nations (UN) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to take coordinated action to help secure the release of their loved ones.
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families → launch → ones
For its part, the FO maintained that it remained “actively engaged” to secure the release of the sailors.
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Last month, in a meeting with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) head, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pressed for “urgent and effective institutional intervention” for the return of the Pakistani sailors.
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Dar → press → sailors
The pirates had also contacted humanitarian Ansar Burney, who had also tried to help in resolving the matter.
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who → contact → matter
Ansar Burney — a former human rights minister — is the chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust, a non-profit human rights organisation working in all areas of human and civil rights worldwide.
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Burney → work → rights
He has previously participated in efforts to free Pakistanis captured by Somali pirates.
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After Tuesday’s operation, the Ansar Burney Trust said in a statement that the IMO had contacted it and ensured of cooperation for the return of the injured crew and bodies to their home countries.
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It said it was in contact with relevant authorities, international institutions and the vessel’s crew and was making continued efforts for the return of the injured and the bodies.
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it → say → injured
Somali piracy has seen a resurgence, with at least 15 attacks since April, the highest since 2013.
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piracy → see → 2013
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