Eight Egyptian Hostages Released from Pirates Arrive in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU (Goobjoog News)

Eight Egyptian fishermen who had been held for nearly five months on the M/T Eureka have arrived in Mogadishu, after being released by the group that had kidnapped them off the coast of Puntland.

The Egyptian ambassador to Somalia, Mohamed Salah, welcomed the fishermen at Mogadishu airport, escorting them to the Egyptian embassy. There, accommodations and security were prepared for them until their journey to Cairo is completed.

The fishermen had been held on the M/T Eureka since May 2, when the ship, coming from the waters of Yemen, was taken towards the Puntland coast. They were among 22 crew members aboard the oil tanker flying the Togolese flag.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that their release was achieved through high-level diplomatic contacts with officials in Somalia and Yemen. The Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu facilitated communication between the fishermen and their families during the kidnapping.

The Somali ambassador to Egypt, Ali Abdi Aware, stated that the fishermen are safe, and that both governments are cooperating to finalize the procedures for their return to their country. They are expected to travel to Cairo on the first available flight.

The release of these personnel comes at a time when Puntland forces have intensified operations against piracy. However, details of the agreement for the release of the fishermen or whether a ransom was paid have not yet been disclosed.