Two ships hijacked off Yemen and Somalia; 22 Indian crew members reported safe
Two commercial vessels have been hijacked in separate incidents off the coast of Yemen and Somalia, with all 22 Indian crew members aboard reported safe, according to Daily Pioneer.
The incidents highlight the persistent dangers facing merchant shipping in one of the world’s most strategically important and historically volatile maritime corridors. The waters between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula connect the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, carrying a significant share of global trade between Europe and Asia.
Indian nationals form one of the largest single national groups in the global commercial seafaring workforce, crewing cargo ships, oil tankers and bulk carriers on routes that span the major oceans. India has long been engaged in efforts to protect its seafarers in this region, with the Indian Navy conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden as part of international naval task forces and coordinating several evacuations of nationals caught up in maritime emergencies in recent years.
The waters off Somalia and Yemen have been among the most heavily affected by piracy and maritime crime in modern history. A surge in hijackings for ransom in the late 2000s prompted a multinational naval response that significantly reduced successful attacks in the early 2010s, though analysts have continued to warn that weak coastal governance and limited economic alternatives in parts of the region leave shipping exposed. In parallel, the conflict in Yemen has added a new layer of risk to Red Sea transit in recent years.
Daily Pioneer’s report did not specify the names of the vessels, the operators, or the groups allegedly behind the hijackings, and details of any rescue or release operation were not immediately available.
Sources
This report was written from coverage published by the following news organisations. Follow the links for the original reporting.
- Daily Pioneer — 2 ships hijacked off Yemen, Somalia; 22 Indians safe
- The Indian Express — Six Indians onboard Cameroon-flagged cargo ship hijacked by pirates off Somalia coast
