Distress at Sea: Sailor Sends Desperate Plea as Somali Pirates Hijack Bangladeshi Vessel
Last Updated on March 13, 2024 4:09 am
In a harrowing turn of events, a Bangladeshi-flagged ocean-going vessel, MV ABDULLAH, with 23 crew members on board, has been hijacked by armed Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. A chilling voice message sent by a crew member to a former colleague sheds light on the dire situation unfolding on the ship.
The unidentified crew member, speaking in a hushed and distressed tone, revealed, “They’ve been threatening and trying to intimidate us. We are captured here. I have come to the washroom to send you this voice message. There’s 7-8 of them. They all have guns. They are probably taking us to their location. Bhai, please pray for us.”
The distressing message, sent to Arman Hossain Babu, a former colleague now with a different company, paints a grim picture of the unfolding crisis. The pirates, numbering between seven to eight, are likely headed towards their camp on the Somali coast, according to the crew member’s account.
In a second recording, the crew member disclosed, “They had captured an Iranian fishing boat two months ago. That boat is tied alongside our ship. They basically attacked our ship from that fishing boat. We put diesel oil in it. Later on, they’re planning to let that boat go.”
With a plea for prayers, the crew member acknowledged informing the office about the situation and urged support during this critical time.
The vessel, owned by SR Shipping, a company based in Chattogram and part of the KSRM Group, faces an uncertain fate as authorities suggest that it might take days before a rescue operation can be launched.
Shahriar Jahan Rahat, deputy managing director of KSRM Group, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are expecting the kidnappers to contact the company within a week,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of the 23 crew members.
This incident echoes a distressing history, with Bangladeshi ships previously falling victim to Somali pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean. The complex and often protracted process of negotiation and ransom payment adds an additional layer of uncertainty for the crew members and their families anxiously awaiting their safe return.