Tanker hijacked, Somalia
Issued: 5 months, 2 weeks ago
| Date | Reference | Region | Category | Aggressors | Source |
| 2026-04-21 12:00:00 | CW Alert 018- (Apr 26) | Indian Ocean | Hijack | Pirates | CLOSED SOURCE/MSCIO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| It has been reported that a Palau-flagged tanker has been boarded by number of armed intruders whilst underway approximately 24nm Southeast of Hafun, Somalia. The incident is ongoing. UPDATE 1: EUNAVFOR have confirmed that Operation ATALANTA units remain actively engaged in tracking the situation involving the hijacked vessel. The tanker's current location is 08° 55'N, 050° 33'E. UPDATE 2: It has been reported that Puntland Marine Police Force (PMPF) launched an operation against the pirate group holding the Palau-flagged tanker off Banderbeyla, Karkaar region. Some pirates reportedly disembarked ahead of the operation following negotiations. During the assault, fighting between PMPF forces and the pirate group continued for several hours along the coastline. PMPF has since confirmed the operation concluded successfully, with the vessel secured and brought under Puntland Maritime Forces' control. Five of the seventeen crew members died as a result of the incident (three Pakistani nationals, one Myanmar national, one Indian national), and four crew members were injured (three Pakistani nationals, one Indian national); the injured are receiving medical treatment under PMPF care. Sixteen suspected pirates were apprehended, with efforts ongoing to locate others who fled the scene. | |||||