Pakistan 'deeply saddened' by tragic loss of five crew members during operation to recover hijacked ship: FO

The surviving Pakistani crew members of the hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25 have been safely brought ashore in Bandar Beyla, Somalia, the Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

It said in a statement that officials at the Pakistani Embassy in Djibouti were travelling to Bandar Beyla to assist the Pakistani nationals, adding that Pakistan remained in contact with Somali authorities and other relevant parties over the situation.

“Every possible effort is being made to ensure proper medical care for the injured, facilitate the transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased, and ensure the safe return of the surviving Pakistani crew members,” the Foreign Office said.

"Pakistan is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of five crew members during the operation to recover the hijacked ship," it said. Among those, who lost their lives are three Pakistanis nationals: Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.

"The Government and people of Pakistan extend their deepest condolences to the bereaved families," the Foreign Office said. "We share their grief at this painful time and pray for strength, patience and comfort for the families, and for the departed souls to rest in peace."

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The development followed an operation by the Puntland Maritime Police Force to recover the tanker from suspected pirates.

Puntland maritime police said that its naval and ground units carried out the operation in the Dharin-Bar area of Bandar Beyla district on Tuesday.

In a later statement, the force said the operation had ended and that the tanker was now “safe and under the Puntland government’s control”. It said 21 suspected pirates had been arrested, while efforts were continuing to find other suspected pirates.

MT Honour 25 was hijacked in April. Months later, there had been no breakthrough in negotiations or efforts to secure the release of the crew, with the ransom reportedly set at around $3 million.