The MT Honour 25 hijacking has resulted in a tragic loss for Pakistan after three Pakistani crew members were killed during a recovery operation off the coast of Somalia. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said the bodies of the deceased crew members will be repatriated at the earliest, while three other Pakistani sailors injured during the operation are receiving medical treatment.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan confirmed the deaths during his weekly briefing and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. The latest developments follow months of efforts by Pakistan to secure the release and safety of Pakistani nationals held aboard the vessel.
Three Pakistanis Among Those Killed
The Foreign Office identified the three deceased Pakistani crew members as Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.
According to the spokesperson, five crew members died during the recovery operation, including the three Pakistanis and two nationals from other countries. The operation was carried out to retrieve the hijacked vessel and release crew members who had been held captive.
Pakistan said it was deeply saddened by the loss and assured the families that the government was working to complete the repatriation process as quickly as possible.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the risks faced by seafarers operating in waters affected by piracy.
Pakistani Crew Members Injured
Four other crew members were injured during the operation, including three Pakistanis. They are currently receiving medical treatment, according to the Foreign Office.
The surviving crew members were initially taken ashore at Bandar Beyla before being safely transported to Garowe. Pakistan’s diplomatic representatives are maintaining contact with the injured sailors and local authorities to help ensure they receive appropriate medical care.
The Foreign Office said the government was coordinating with Somali authorities and other stakeholders over medical treatment, repatriation and the safe return of the surviving Pakistani crew.
The MT Honour 25 case has therefore created several immediate responsibilities for Pakistan, including caring for the injured, bringing the deceased home and helping the remaining crew members return safely.
Pakistan Coordinates Repatriation
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s diplomatic representatives were already working on the repatriation arrangements.
Pakistan’s deputy head of mission was in Garowe and remained in contact with the hospitalized crew members. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ambassador to Djibouti was travelling to Addis Ababa as part of the diplomatic response.
The bodies of the deceased Pakistanis were also in the custody of Pakistani diplomatic representatives, according to the Foreign Office.
The remains are expected to be transported through Addis Ababa airport using Ethiopian Airlines, which operates a direct connection to Pakistan. However, officials said the exact timeline would depend on local procedures and other necessary formalities.
Crew Had Been Held Captive
The tragedy followed a prolonged period of captivity for the MT Honour 25 crew.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office had previously said that 10 Pakistani nationals were among the crew members held hostage after the tanker was hijacked off Somalia. In April, the Foreign Office said the vessel had 17 crew members, including the 10 Pakistanis, and that Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti was engaging Somali authorities over the situation.
By June, Pakistani officials said their nationals had been in captivity for more than 50 days. The government had been pursuing negotiations and humanitarian channels while coordinating with Somali authorities and other stakeholders.
Those efforts continued as Pakistan sought the safe release and repatriation of its citizens.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Pakistan has remained in contact with Somali officials throughout the MT Honour 25 crisis.
The Foreign Office previously said that a team from Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti had travelled to Somalia and met senior Somali officials and other relevant stakeholders. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also engaged with Somalia’s foreign minister over the safety and release of the hostages.
The government had emphasized the importance of negotiations and humanitarian channels while keeping families of the detained sailors informed.
The latest recovery operation has now shifted the immediate focus toward medical treatment, repatriation and support for the surviving crew members.
A Tragic End to a Long Ordeal
The deaths of the three Pakistani sailors have added a tragic dimension to the MT Honour 25 case. After spending weeks in captivity, the crew faced another dangerous stage during the operation to recover the vessel.
For the families of Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari, the priority now is to bring their loved ones’ remains home and provide them with a proper final farewell.
For the injured Pakistani sailors, attention remains focused on medical treatment and their eventual return to Pakistan.
The Foreign Office has said that the government and Pakistani diplomatic mission are committed to completing both processes as soon as possible.
The MT Honour 25 incident also highlights the continuing dangers faced by commercial crews operating near Somalia. For Pakistan, the immediate task is now to ensure that the injured receive proper care, the deceased are repatriated without unnecessary delay and the surviving Pakistani crew members can safely return home.
