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 in an official release that this achievement was the result of continuous follow-up and diligent communications led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, with officials from both the Somali and Yemeni governments. These efforts led to the liberation of the eight sailors who were aboard the oil tanker M/T Eureka. The statement further detailed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs issued immediate directives to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The embassy was instructed to receive the sailors upon their release, ascertain their physical and psychological well-being, provide all necessary care, and coordinate their swift return to Egypt via the earliest available flight. The incident initially occurred on May 2nd when the oil tanker was attacked and hijacked by armed pirates while sailing off the coast of Shabwah Governorate in southeastern Yemen. The vessel and its crew, comprising eight Egyptians and four Indians, were taken towards the coastlines under the administration of the Somali region of Puntland. Diplomatic efforts by Egypt ultimately proved successful in securing the safe release of the Egyptian nationals. |
