Indian Navy rescues 22 Indian seafarers from two hijacked vessels near Somalia and Yemen

Sunday August 23, 2026

Indian Navy during a military drill. Photo Sputnik India

New Delhi (HOL) — Indian naval forces on Friday rescued 22 Indian seafarers after two foreign-flagged vessels were hijacked in separate incidents in waters near Somalia and Yemen.

The High Commission of India in Nairobi said six Indian nationals were aboard the Cameroon-flagged MV Lutuf, while 16 were on the Eritrean-flagged MT Sibu when the vessels were hijacked on Aug. 17 and 20, respectively.

“We have taken up the matter of Indian seafarers onboard vessels MT Sibu and MV Lutuf with the concerned authorities in Somalia,” the High Commission said in an update Friday.

“It is understood that there are reportedly 16 Indian seafarers onboard MT Sibu and six Indian seafarers onboard MV Lutuf. All Indian seafarers are reportedly safe.”

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government was maintaining contact with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the sailors.

“So far, we have learnt that all 22 of our citizens on board are safe. We are in touch with the relevant authorities on this matter so that we can ensure the safety and well-being of our people,” he said.

The two vessels were reportedly seized in separate incidents involving armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia’s Puntland coast.

The MT Sibu, an oil products tanker carrying 20 crew members, including nationals from Syria, Sudan and Iraq, was reportedly hijacked Thursday about 30 nautical miles off Yemen.

The MV Lutuf, carrying 10 crew members, was reportedly hijacked earlier off the coast of Puntland in Somalia.

The latest incidents come amid a resurgence of piracy in waters off Somalia and Yemen. Attacks have increasingly occurred far from Somalia’s coastline, including the hijacking of the Eureka while anchored off Yemen and the Asana about 65 nautical miles, or 120 kilometers, southwest of al-Mukalla.

The International Maritime Bureau recorded 38 piracy and armed robbery incidents worldwide during the first half of 2026, including five hijackings. Somali pirates accounted for 94% of crew members taken hostage during that period, according to the bureau.