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The Puntland information ministry stated that pirates killed five crew members before security forces boarded the Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 and regained control of the vessel. Among those killed were three Pakistani nationals along with one Indian and one from Myanmar while four others sustained injuries including three Pakistanis and one Indian. The ministry added that the tanker had been anchored near the coast between the towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla at the time of the rescue and that pursuits continued for additional suspects who fled the scene.
This incident represents the first crew deaths at the hands of Somali pirates in more than a decade according to assessments from multiple regional outlets. The MT Honour 25 carrying around 18,500 barrels of oil destined for Mogadishu was seized on April 21 with 17 crew members aboard including 10 Pakistanis four Indonesians one Indian one Sri Lankan and one from Myanmar. By July conditions aboard had deteriorated with food supplies largely limited to rice unsafe drinking water available and several crew members experiencing health problems as gunfire erupted between rival pirate groups Splash247 reported.
A resurgence of Somali piracy has accelerated through 2026 with eight successful hijackings recorded since April according to maritime industry tallies. Experts have attributed the increase in part to the effects of the United States and Israel’s war on Iran which have driven elevated oil prices and made tankers more attractive targets Al Jazeera reported. Pirate groups have increasingly relied on captured fishing vessels and dhows as motherships allowing them to stage attacks farther offshore than in prior years.
Puntland authorities also secured the release of the MT Eureka on the same day after its hijackers who had seized the vessel in May fled inland as forces approached the area. The dual operations followed last week’s rescue of the US-sanctioned Sibu 1 tanker that pirates had taken in August. In that earlier case 28 of the 41 arrested individuals escaped during transfer to jail prompting accusations of complicity among some local security personnel according to Al Jazeera.
Puntland Deputy Information Minister Bile Qabowsade rejected any suggestions that regional forces assisted pirates in escaping during the MT Honour 25 operation. The minister’s comments addressed narratives tied to the previous breakout incident and emphasized ongoing efforts to hold those responsible accountable. Authorities have yet to provide further specifics on how the crew members were killed or the exact manner in which the vessel was initially overtaken.
The nationalities of those killed and injured were separately confirmed by Ansar Burney director of the Ansar Burney Trust who had repeatedly warned authorities about the threats facing the abducted crew. Burney expressed deep concern over the outcome and called for immediate measures to safeguard seafarers in similar situations as detailed in reports by Geo.tv. This independent verification aligns with the casualty breakdown issued by the Puntland information ministry.
