Mogadishu, Somalia – Web Desk: Forty days have passed since Somali pirates hijacked the oil tanker Honor 25, yet all 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistani nationals, remain in captivity with no breakthrough in negotiations.
According to reports, Somali pirates seized the vessel on April 21 and took the entire crew hostage. The crew consists of 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian national, and one citizen of Myanmar.
Diplomatic sources said the Somali government is attempting to negotiate with the pirates through the tanker’s owner, but efforts to secure the crew’s release have so far failed to produce any results.
Sources added that the pirates initially demanded a ransom of $1 million before reportedly increasing their demand to $4 million. Negotiations remain deadlocked, with no agreement reached.
The vessel is currently anchored near the Somali coast, according to diplomatic officials familiar with the situation.
Sources further stated that the Somali government had assured Pakistan it would continue efforts to secure the release of the Pakistani hostages through ongoing contacts with the pirates. A formal communication regarding these efforts was also reportedly sent to the Pakistani government.
The prolonged hostage crisis has raised concerns over maritime security in the region, particularly along key international shipping routes near the Horn of Africa.
