An EU Navy ship exchanged fire with pirates to rescue sailors: Ship anchored about 20 miles away from the Somali coast

Staff Reporter :
The Foreign Ministry stated that Somali pirates have not made any demands for ransom regarding the rescue of the 23 crew members aboard MV Abdullah.

Rear Admiral (retired) Mohammad Khurshed Alam, Secretary of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dismissed reports of ransom demands as media fabrication.
According to Alam, the pirates have not initiated contact or made any ransom requests.

He emphasised this point following an inter-ministerial meeting at the ministry on Thursday. Contrary to media speculation, no communication has been received from the pirates regarding financial demands.

However, family members of the crew have expressed concerns to the media, claiming that the pirates threatened to harm the sailors if ransom wasn’t paid.

Alam also clarified that the MV Abdullah did not venture into the designated high-risk area (HRA). Speculating on the pirates’ motives, he suggested that the ship may have been targeted opportunistically, as no other vessels were available for hijacking at the time.

The pirates’ intended destination appears to be Somalia, as indicated by their anchoring about 20 miles off the coast.

Despite this, there has been no communication between the hijackers and relevant authorities in Bangladesh. Secretary Khurshed Alam confirmed the absence of any dialogue initiated from Bangladesh’s side.

Khurshed Alam further said, “Uncertainty surrounds the pirates’ demands, and there is a need for cautious handling of media reports, as escalating pressure could potentially lead to increased demands from the hijackers.”

In terms of ensuring the safe return of the sailors and the vessel, Alam affirmed that the process has commenced, emphasising the unwavering commitment to bringing back the crew and cargo safely.

Drawing from past experiences, he underscored the time-consuming nature of such operations, cautioning against expecting quick resolutions.

Alam outlined the ongoing negotiation efforts involving various agencies and international bodies, including the PNI Club and piracy reporting centres.

“However, direct communication with the pirates remains elusive, with official channels being the primary mode of contact,” added Alam.

Reflecting on the broader context of piracy incidents, Alam emphasised the widespread impact across vessels of all sizes and nationalities. Efforts are focused on resolving the situation peacefully while prioritising crew safety and cargo protection.

Regarding insurance coverage for the ship, Alam clarified that it is insured under the PNI Club and Protection and Indemnity Club, providing a layer of financial security amid the crisis.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that on Wednesday night, a European Union (EU) navy ship pursued MV Abdullah, and there has been an exchange of gunfire between the pirates and the naval personnel aboard the EU ship.

At one point, the pirates threatened to kill the Bangladeshi sailors. Subsequently, due to a lack of other options, the EU navy ship has stepped back.

Meanwhile, Mizanul Islam, the spokesperson for the KSRM Group, stated, “So far, the pirates have not contacted us. The sailors on the ship are fine, they are in good health.

According to the latest information, the pirates have not harmed the sailors. We are making every effort to ensure their safety. The utmost effort is being made to bring them back safely.”