On August 28, 2026, concerns remained high regarding the safety of 22 Indian sailors held captive by armed pirates near the Gulf of Aden and Somalia. The group includes 16 crew members aboard the oil-products tanker MT Sibu 1 and six aboard the cargo vessel MV Lutuf.
- 22 Indian sailors held captive by armed pirates near Gulf of Aden and Somalia
- MT Sibu 1 faces flag registration dispute with Eritrea denying registration
- MV Lutuf seized near Puntland coast with six Indian crew members
- International Maritime Organization reports 15 piracy incidents in 2026
A major complication emerged for the Sibu 1 as the government of Eritrea denied that the ship is registered in its country, despite the vessel displaying an Eritrean flag. Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel stated that the ship has no official affiliation with Eritrea, and the International Maritime Organization database currently lists the vessel's flag status as “Eritrea False,” indicating the registration is not recognized. Ship-tracking data placed the Sibu 1 approximately 6 kilometers off the coast of northeastern Somalia on Monday. The Sibu 1 was hijacked on August 20, 2026, in the Gulf of Aden near the coast of Yemen. Six armed individuals in two small boats reportedly boarded the tanker, which had 20 crew members on board, including the 16 Indians, and forced it toward Somalia. The European Union’s anti-piracy force, Operation Atalanta, has been monitoring the incident.
The second vessel, the Cameroon-flagged MV Lutuf, was seized on August 17 near the Puntland coast. Eight armed pirates boarded the cargo ship, which carried 10 crew members, including six Indians, after overcoming their attempt to secure themselves in a protected citadel. On August 21, India's Ministry of External Affairs and the High Commission of India in Nairobi stated that, based on available information, all 22 Indian sailors were reportedly safe and that authorities were in contact with Somali counterparts regarding their security. As of August 28, there has been no official confirmation of their release. According to IMO statistics, at least 15 piracy incidents have been reported in 2026, with six commercial vessels seized and over 90 seafarers held captive. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained personnel.
