ISLAMABAD: The four Pakistanis injured during a security operation to recover a hijacked oil ship off the coast of Somalia, along with the remains of three others who were killed in the incident, have left Addis Ababa and are expected to reach Karachi today (Sunday) evening.
Pakistan’s ambassadors to Djibouti and Ethiopia saw off the four injured sailors – Usman Ghani, Aqeel Khan, Ameen bin Shams and Yasir Khan – as well as the remains of Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmad Ansari, the Foreign Office said on Sunday.
Pakistan’s Ambassadors to Djibouti and Ethiopia saw off the four injured Pakistani crew members of MT Honour 25, Usman Ghani, Aqeel Khan, Ameen bin Shams and Yasir Khan, along with the mortal remains of Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmad Ansari, from Addis Ababa.
They are arriving in Karachi today aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 694.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 4, 2026
The seven are travelling to Karachi on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 694 and are expected to arrive later in the day. They were among 10 Pakistani nationals aboard the Palau-flagged MT Honour 25, which was hijacked by Somali pirates in April.
The ship was also carrying seven Indonesian nationals, one Indian and one Sri Lankan crew member. The hijacking continued for around five months, with no reported progress in negotiations or payment of a ransom estimated at around $3 million.
During their captivity, the crew made several emotional video and audio appeals, saying they had run out of clean water, food and medicines. The Foreign Office had remained actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to secure the safe release of the sailors.
READ ALSO: Three Pakistanis Among Five Crew Killed In Somali Pirate Rescue Operation
Somali maritime police recovered the ship on September 29 in an operation in which 21 suspected pirates were apprehended. Authorities also reported casualties among the crew.
According to the Foreign Office, the pirates killed five crew members before the security operation began. The victims included three Pakistanis, one Myanmar national and one Indian.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a relief package of Rs12.5 million for the families of the deceased Pakistani sailors.
