Five crew members killed during Somali rescue of captured tanker

Puntland forces rescued the MT Honour 25, a petroleum-products tanker hijacked in April but Somali authorities said five crew members were killed before the vessel was recovered.

The dead included three Pakistani nationals, one Indian and one national of Myanmar, BBC News reports. Four other crew members were injured, including three Pakistanis and one Indian.

Sixteen suspected pirates have been arrested, while others escaped and were being pursued, according to Somali officials.

The tanker, which was en route for  the Somali capital of Mogadishu, was seized by six armed men while sailing off the coast of Somalia, and held captive anchored between the fishing towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla.

Last month, IMO Secretary-General demanded immediate and unconditional release of what he said were more than 90 seafarers and six vessels held captive in the region. "We cannot allow the resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters to go unaddressed," he said.

Secretary-General called on flag and coastal States to ensure ships flying their flag are adequately prepared to manage security risks and that crews are not exposed to avoidable dangers. This includes the implementation of industry best management practices (BMP Maritime Security) and relevant IMO guidance, including MSC.1/Circ.1601/Rev.2. IMO supports regional efforts led by coastal States to address this resurgence of piracy, through initiatives such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment.