Published: 09:00 AM, 11 April 2024
MV Abdullah: Hostage sailors offer Eid prayers, take photo
The 23 sailors aboard the MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi vessel seized by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean a month ago, offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers together on Wednesday.
The sailors also took a picture together after performing Eid prayers at the ship's dock. In the photo, the sailors are seen wearing Panjabi, Pajama and Tupi.
According to a source, the hijacked ship is currently in Somali waters. Somalia is celebrating Eid on Wednesday.
The pirates allowed the sailors to go to the ship's dock to offer prayers. Besides, they also provided special meals on the occasion of Eid.
The sailors are communicating with their families regularly, and even they are talking with their near and dear ones through video calls, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Wednesday.
Discussions are going on through different media with the Somali pirates. There are many progresses for the release of the sailors, he said while exchanging views with reporters in Chittagong’s YNT Centre.
According to sources, the ship’s owner, Kabir Group’s SR Shipping, is negotiating with the pirates for the release of the sailors. Kabir Group media advisor Mizanul Islam earlier said that their talks with the pirates were fruitful. The sailors can be released at any time, but the timing remains uncertain. Following their release, the sailors will return to the country by air after completing all the necessary procedures.
MV Abdullah has about 55,000 tons of coal on board. On March 4, the ship started its journey from the port of Maputo in the African country of Mozambique. It was scheduled to arrive at Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates on March 19.
The ship fell into the hands of pirates in the Indian Ocean at around 1:30pm on March 12. Among the total 24 ships under this company, MV Abdullah is the latest addition.
