Armed pirates hijack two vessels carrying Indian crews off Yemen, Somalia

The hijackings occurred in two distinct incidents in pirate-prone waters off the Horn of Africa, marking a resurgence in maritime security concerns in the region. A senior official from India's shipping ministry confirmed the seizures on Friday, stating that all Indian crew members aboard both vessels remain accounted for.

Piracy off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia has persisted despite international naval patrols and heightened security measures in recent years. The waters around the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea remain strategically important for global maritime commerce, with hundreds of commercial vessels transiting the region monthly.

The Indian government has been coordinating with international maritime authorities and naval forces to address the situation. Such incidents underscore ongoing security challenges facing merchant shipping in the Indian Ocean region, where crew safety remains a critical concern for shipping companies and maritime nations.

The ministry has not disclosed specific details regarding the vessels' identities, cargo, or the exact locations where they were seized. Authorities are continuing efforts to secure the safe release of the captured crews, consistent with international protocols for handling piracy incidents.