Egypt Secures Release of Eight Sailors Kidnapped off the Coast of Yemen

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday the successful release of eight Egyptian sailors who had been held captive by Somali pirates since May, following a hijacking incident off the coast of Yemen.

The ministry stated that the operation was the result of sustained diplomatic efforts and coordination led by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Official communications with authorities in both Somalia and Yemen were instrumental in securing the release of the crew members, who were aboard the oil tanker M/T Eureka at the time of the incident.

Following the release, Minister Abdelatty issued immediate directives to the Egyptian Embassy in Mogadishu. Diplomatic personnel were instructed to receive the sailors, evaluate their physical and psychological well-being, and provide necessary support as arrangements are finalized for their repatriation to Egypt.

The incident originated on May 2, when armed pirates intercepted the oil tanker while it was navigating near the coast of Shabwah Governorate in southeastern Yemen. The vessel and its crew, which included the eight Egyptian nationals and four Indian sailors, were forcibly diverted to the Puntland region of Somalia. Diplomatic interventions ultimately led to the safe recovery of the Egyptian citizens.