BANDAR-BEYLAA, Somalia — The 12 crew members of the MT Eureka were brought ashore in Bandar-Beyla district in Somalia’s Karkaar region on Wednesday morning after being released from the Hulcaanood area, where they had been held by a group of pirates.
The crew consisted of eight Egyptian nationals and four Indians. According to the available information, all 12 crew members are in good health.
The crew members were initially handed over to local residents in Hulcaanood, who later transported them to Bandar-Beyla for transfer to the Puntland authorities.
Meanwhile, reports from the area indicate that the pirates caused significant damage to the vessel before reportedly setting it on fire and leaving the scene.
The MT Eureka, which was sailing under the flag of Togo, is an oil tanker. Reports indicate that the vessel was carrying approximately 20,400 barrels of fuel when it was hijacked, although some of the fuel was reportedly removed from the vessel during the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the vessel’s release and the reported damage remain subject to further clarification.
