The Indian Navy is actively monitoring a situation involving the reported hijacking of the Liberian-flagged merchant ship ‘MV Lila Norfolk’ near Somalia’s coast. According to military officials, the vessel, believed to have 15 Indian crew members on board, sent a distress message on the UKMTO portal on the evening of January 4, 2024, indicating the presence of approximately five to six unknown armed individuals.
To assess the situation and ensure the safety of the crew, Indian Navy aircraft have been deployed, and communication with the hijacked ship has been established. The navy is coordinating efforts to address the incident, with the Indian warship INS Chennai en route to the location.
In a statement, the Indian Navy mentioned, “Naval aircraft continues to monitor movement, and INS Chennai is closing in on the vessel to render assistance. The overall situation is being closely monitored in coordination with other agencies and the MNF (Multi-National Force) in the area.”
Details about the hijackers and their identity remain undisclosed at this time. The incident follows a recent seizure of a Maltese-flagged merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea, where six pirates illegally boarded the ship. The Indian Navy, in that instance, successfully evacuated a Bulgarian national among the crew members for medical care after he was injured during the pirate attack. It is worth noting that pirate attacks in the region had previously peaked between 2008 and 2013 but had since declined due to the collective efforts of multinational maritime task forces, including the Indian Navy.
Read More :
- Good Chances of India-China Clash in World Chess Title
- Gautam Adani Surpasses Mukesh Ambani as India’s Wealthiest
