Somalia piracy: 22 Indian seafarers safe after two ships hijacked
Synopsis
Pirates seized two foreign-flagged vessels carrying 22 Indian nationals in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia's Puntland coast — and India's diplomatic machinery moved fast. The High Commission in Kenya and the MEA have both confirmed all 22 Indians are reportedly safe, but the ships remain in pirate hands and the broader crew's fate is still unclear.
Key Takeaways
22 Indian seafarers — 16 on MT Sibu and 6 on MV Lutuf — are reportedly safe after both vessels were seized by pirates.
MT Sibu 1 , an Eritrea-flagged oil tanker, was reportedly hijacked by six armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden , roughly 30 nautical miles off Yemen's coast.
MV Lutuf , a Cameroon-flagged vessel, was seized off Somalia's Puntland region.
The High Commission of India in Kenya confirmed the seafarers' safety via a post on X on 21 August .
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed India is in active contact with relevant authorities to ensure the crew's well-being.
The High Commission of India in Kenya on Friday, 21 August confirmed that all 22 Indian seafarers aboard two foreign-flagged vessels — MT Sibu and MV Lutuf — are reportedly safe following their seizure by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The Indian government has engaged relevant authorities in Somalia and is closely monitoring the situation.
What Happened at Sea
The Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker MT Sibu 1, carrying 20 crew members including 16 Indian nationals, one Syrian, one Sudanese, and one Iraqi, was reportedly seized on Thursday by six armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen. Separately, the Cameroon-flagged vessel MV Lutuf, with 10 sailors on board — including six Indians — was seized off the coast of Somalia's Puntland region.
What the Indian Mission Said
The Indian High Commission in Kenya stated on X: 'We have taken up the matter of Indian seafarers on board vessels MT Sibu (Eritrea-flagged) and MV Lutuf (Cameroon-flagged) with the concerned authorities in Somalia. It is understood that there are reportedly 16 Indian seafarers onboard MT Sibu and 6 Indian seafarers onboard MV Lutuf. All Indian seafarers are reportedly safe. We attach the highest importance to the safety and welfare of the Indian seafaring community.'
Ministry of External Affairs Steps In
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday, confirming that the government is in active contact with relevant authorities. 'These are two ships flagged abroad, meaning they are flying the flag of another country. There are 22 Indian citizens on board — 16 on one ship and six on the other. So far, we have learnt that all 22 of our citizens on board are safe. We are in touch with the relevant authorities on this matter so that we can ensure the safety and well-being of our people,' Jaiswal said.
India's Broader Maritime Security Stance
The MEA reiterated that India treats the safety and security of its vessels and seafarers as a matter of high priority, with Indian missions maintaining constant contact with the Ministry of Shipping and maritime authorities in relevant countries. This comes amid a broader pattern of piracy resurgence in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia's coastline, a region that had seen a sharp decline in incidents after international naval patrols intensified in the early 2010s but has witnessed renewed activity in recent years. The Indian Navy has previously conducted evacuation and escort operations in the region.
What Happens Next
Indian officials have not yet disclosed whether any naval assets have been deployed or whether negotiations are under way for the release of the vessels. The safety status of the non-Indian crew members aboard both ships also remains a matter of concern. As diplomatic efforts continue, the 22 Indian seafarers are reportedly unharmed, and the government has pledged to provide any support required.
Point of View
But it should not obscure what remains unresolved: the ships are still in pirate hands, the non-Indian crew members' status has not been publicly addressed, and no details have emerged on whether naval or diplomatic intervention is imminent. Piracy off Somalia's coast has been creeping back after a decade of relative calm — a trend that India, with one of the world's largest seafaring workforces, cannot afford to treat as routine. The real test of India's maritime diplomacy will come not from the press briefing, but from what happens to those vessels in the days ahead.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the 22 Indian seafarers hijacked off Somalia safe?
Yes, all 22 Indian seafarers are reportedly safe, according to confirmations from both the High Commission of India in Kenya and the Ministry of External Affairs on 21 August. However, the vessels remain in pirate custody and the situation is still developing.
Which ships were hijacked off the coast of Somalia?
Two vessels were seized — MT Sibu 1, an Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker hijacked in the Gulf of Aden roughly 30 nautical miles off Yemen, and MV Lutuf, a Cameroon-flagged ship seized off Somalia's Puntland region. Together they had 22 Indian nationals on board.
How many Indian nationals were on each vessel?
MT Sibu 1 had 16 Indian nationals among its 20-member crew, while MV Lutuf had 6 Indians among its 10 sailors, bringing the total to 22 Indian seafarers across both ships.
What is the Indian government doing about the piracy incident?
The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed it is in active contact with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers. The High Commission of India in Kenya has also engaged authorities in Somalia directly. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue at a media briefing in New Delhi on 21 August.
Where exactly were the ships hijacked?
MT Sibu 1 was reportedly seized in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen, while MV Lutuf was taken off the Puntland coast of Somalia.
