Four Indonesian sailors return safely after five months held by Somali pirates.
An ordeal lasting more than five months has ended for four Indonesian seafarers, who returned to their families after surviving the hijacking of an oil tanker off Somalia and a deadly period of captivity.
Four Indonesians Return Home
Four Indonesian sailors who had been held hostage by Somali pirates for more than five months arrived home on October 6, 2026. They had been serving aboard the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Honour 25, which was hijacked in April. The Indonesians were among 17 crew members rescued about a week before their return when maritime police from Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region stormed the vessel.
Five Crew Members Killed Before Rescue
The rescue came after a deadly period aboard the tanker. Puntland police said pirates had already killed five crew members, comprising three Pakistanis, one Indian, and one Myanmar national, before security forces retook the ship. Authorities detained 16 suspected pirates during the operation, while others fled toward the shore and moved inland.
Families Welcome Sailors at Soekarno-Hatta
The four Indonesians were welcomed by their families at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang. Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir was among the officials who received them and thanked their families for their patience during months of uncertainty about their relatives’ safety.
Captain Apologizes for Lost Crew
Indonesian captain Ashari Samadikun became emotional during the homecoming and apologized to the families of the five crew members who died, saying he had been unable to fulfill his promise to bring everyone home safely. Arrmanatha thanked Ashari for helping keep the surviving crew safe during the crisis and rescue operation. The MT Honour 25 was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil when it was hijacked.
Somali Piracy Shows Resurgence
The incident comes amid renewed piracy activity off Somalia. According to the report, at least 15 attacks have occurred since April 2026, the highest number since 2013. Puntland police have also recently responded to other hijackings, including incidents involving the oil tankers Sibu 1 and MT Eureka, as maritime authorities confront increased pirate activity in the region.
For Indonesians, the safe return of the four sailors closes more than five months of uncertainty for their families while highlighting the dangers faced by citizens working at sea. For Singaporean readers following regional maritime developments, the case also draws attention to the renewed piracy threat affecting international commercial shipping.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Jakarta Globe (2026)
Keywords: Indonesian Sailors Somalia, MT Honour 25, Somali Pirates, Indonesian Seafarers, Puntland Rescue, Maritime Piracy
