Bodies of Pakistanis killed in MT Honour 25 operation to be repatriated at earliest: FO

• Five crew members killed during recovery operation.
• Three Pakistani nationals among those who died.
• Surviving crew members safely brought to Garowe.

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday said the bodies of three Pakistani crew members killed during the recovery operation of hijacked MT Honour 25 would be repatriated at the earliest.

“Pakistan is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of five crew members during the recovery operation of the hijacked vessel MT Honour 25 off the coast of Somalia,” FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said during his weekly briefing.

He identified the three deceased Pakistanis as Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.

Four other crew members, including three Pakistanis, were injured during the operation and are receiving medical treatment, the spokesperson said.

Khan said the surviving crew members were initially brought ashore at Bandar Beyla and had now been safely taken to Garowe, where the injured were being treated.

“The Government and people of Pakistan extend their deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the departed souls to rest in peace,” he said.

The spokesperson said the government remained in close contact with Somali authorities and other stakeholders to facilitate medical care for the injured, repatriation of the mortal remains and the safe return of surviving Pakistani crew members.

He said the crew had been held captive since April 11, with the recovery operation aimed at retrieving and releasing personnel from different countries, including Pakistan.

“In the process of retrieving the vessel, three Pakistanis, along with two other nationals, also lost their lives,” Khan said.

He added that Pakistan’s ambassador to Djibouti was travelling to Addis Ababa, while the deputy head of mission was already in Garowe and in contact with the hospitalised crew members.

The bodies of the deceased were also in the possession of Pakistan’s diplomatic representatives there, he said.

Asked about the repatriation process, Khan said the bodies would be transported via Addis Ababa airport using Ethiopian Airlines, which operates a direct flight to Pakistan.

He said the timeline would depend on local procedures and the medical condition of the crew.

“Our team, our Embassy, and the Government are keen to ensure that the Pakistanis are repatriated,” the spokesperson said. “Those who are injured will be provided with proper medical treatment, and the bodies of the deceased Pakistanis will also be repatriated at the earliest.”