Indian Navy rescues hijacked vessel
The Indian Navy is actively monitoring a hijacking incident involving the Maltese vessel MV Ruen in the Arabian Sea. Responding swiftly to a distress signal, an Indian warship, initially on anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden, altered its course to assist the cargo carrier with 18 crew members aboard. The Navy received a Mayday signal on the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) portal, indicating that six unknown persons had boarded the vessel, which was heading towards the coast of Somalia.
The Indian Navy deployed a maritime patrol aircraft for surveillance, conducting an overflight inspection of the hijacked vessel. Continuously monitoring the situation, the Navy stated that the MV Ruen is currently heading towards the coast of Somalia. The crew comprises nationals from Angola, Bulgaria, and Myanmar. The hijacking is suspected to be the work of Somali pirates, although their activities have decreased in recent years due to international counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
In response to the incident, the European Union’s anti-piracy force mentioned that the Spanish warship Victoria was en route to intercept the “alleged pirate-hijacked vessel.” The UKMTO issued a warning to other ships in the region, indicating that the crew of the Ruen no longer had control of the vessel. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges of piracy in certain maritime regions, emphasizing the need for coordinated international efforts to ensure the safety of merchant shipping.
