Bodies, injured Pakistani crew from MT Honour 25 to be repatriated soon: FO

Three Pakistani nationals were among five crew members killed during an operation to recover the hijacked MT Honour 25 off the Somali coast, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.

The deceased Pakistanis were identified as Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari. Four other crew members were wounded in the operation. Three of the injured are Pakistani nationals and are currently receiving treatment in Garowe, FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said.

The crew had remained in captivity since April 11. The recovery operation was carried out to secure the vessel and free crew members from several countries, including Pakistan.

After the operation, the surviving crew members were taken to shore at Bandar Beyla and later moved to Garowe. Pakistani diplomatic officials are in contact with those receiving treatment, Khan said.

The bodies of the three Pakistanis are also in the custody of Pakistani diplomatic representatives, according to the spokesperson. Pakistan is coordinating with Somali authorities and other stakeholders to arrange the return of the bodies and the safe repatriation of the surviving Pakistani crew.

Khan said that the remains would be transported through Addis Ababa, from where Ethiopian Airlines operates a direct service to Pakistan. The timing would depend on local formalities and the medical condition of the injured crew members.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Djibouti was travelling to Addis Ababa, while the deputy head of mission was already in Garowe, the FO spokesperson said.

“Our team, our Embassy, and the Government are keen to ensure that the Pakistanis are repatriated,” he said.