MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Growing concern is mounting over the condition of the crew members aboard the oil tanker “MT Eureka” after they were kidnapped near the coast of Yemen and taken toward Somali waters.
Urgent calls are now emerging for both international and Egyptian intervention to secure the release and safety of the detained sailors.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Monday that eight Egyptian sailors were on board the vessel. The ministry stated that it had instructed its embassy in Mogadishu to immediately contact the Somali government in order to verify the crew’s safety and expedite efforts to secure their release.
This development comes days after the Yemeni Coast Guard announced that an oil tanker had been hijacked near the coast of the Shabwa region and later transported toward the Somali coastline.
According to the families of the kidnapped crew members, the armed group responsible for the hijacking has begun negotiations with the company that owns the vessel. The group initially demanded a ransom of $3 million, but later increased the demand to $10 million. Negotiations have reportedly stalled, and communication has been cut off in recent days.
Ahmed Radi, the brother of one of the kidnapped sailors, said his brother managed to make a brief phone call during which he reported that conditions aboard the ship were “continuing to deteriorate” and that their lives were in danger. He urged the Egyptian government to intervene immediately.
The wife of another detained sailor also issued an appeal on social media, stating that the kidnappers had initially allowed short phone calls lasting no more than five minutes.
However, communication reportedly stopped after negotiations broke down.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty instructed the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu to maintain “high-level” contact with Somali officials to ensure the security and safety of the detained sailors.
Somalia’s coastline has once again seen a resurgence in piracy since late 2023, following years of decline in such attacks. This resurgence has been linked to ongoing security challenges and increased maritime activity in the region.