The Foreign Office announced on Thursday that the bodies of three Pakistani crew members who lost their lives during the recovery operation of the hijacked vessel MT Honour 25 will be repatriated as soon as possible. The tragic incident occurred off the coast of Somalia, where five crew members died in total.
Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan identified the deceased Pakistanis as Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer, and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari. In addition to the fatalities, four other crew members, including three Pakistanis, sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Initially, the surviving crew members were brought ashore at Bandar Beyla and have since been safely transferred to Garowe, where medical care is ongoing. The Government of Pakistan and its people have expressed their deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased, praying for the departed souls to rest peacefully.
In a significant development, the government remains in close coordination with Somali authorities and other involved parties to ensure the injured receive proper medical attention. Efforts are also underway to facilitate the repatriation of the mortal remains and the safe return of all surviving Pakistani crew members.
The crew had been held captive since April 11, and the recent recovery operation sought to rescue personnel from various countries, including Pakistan. Tragically, three Pakistanis and two other nationals lost their lives during this operation.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Djibouti is en route to Addis Ababa, while the deputy head of mission is already in Garowe maintaining contact with the hospitalized crew. The bodies of the deceased remain under the care of Pakistan’s diplomatic representatives in the region.
Regarding the repatriation process, the spokesperson explained that the bodies will be transported via Addis Ababa airport using Ethiopian Airlines, which offers direct flights to Pakistan. The timeline for repatriation will depend on local procedures and the health status of the injured crew members.
“Our embassy, government, and team are committed to ensuring the prompt repatriation of the deceased Pakistanis,” Khan stated. “The injured will continue to receive appropriate medical treatment, and the bodies will be returned to Pakistan at the earliest opportunity.”
