Somali Maritime Police Recover Oil Tanker From Pirates; Five Crew Members Killed
Mian Nadeem
Published September 29, 2026 | 10:21 PM
The crew includes 11 Pakistani nationals, while the Palau-flagged oil tanker was hijacked in April.
MOGADISHU, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2026) Somali maritime police have recovered the oil tanker Honor 25 from pirates, while five crew members were reportedly killed during the operation.
An international broadcaster, citing Somali officials, reported that the Palau-flagged oil tanker, hijacked in April, was carrying fuel for Somali traders.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s maritime police said personnel from the maritime police force of Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region stormed the MT Honor 25 and safely rescued 17 crew members.
According to a police statement, naval and ground forces conducted the planned operation in Dheryin Bar, in the Bandar Beyla district. Police said the Honor 25 was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil when it was hijacked.
The report said Somali security forces launched the operation in Puntland to end the pirates’ control of the vessel. Somali media reported that the pirates killed five crew members held aboard the Honor 25, while security forces arrested nine pirates.