Somali pirates killed five crew members aboard the hijacked tanker MT Honour 25 before a rescue mission by Puntland security forces, according to officials cited by multiple outlets. The Palau-flagged petroleum products tanker had been seized by pirates in April, according to The Straits Times, citing Puntland's state television channel.
According to The Jerusalem Post, those killed included three crew members from Pakistan, one from Myanmar, and one from India, with four others injured. This detail was reported by a single outlet among those supplied.
Al Jazeera English reported that the deaths appear to be the first at the hands of Somali pirates in more than a decade, a claim reported by that outlet alone among the sources reviewed.
Reuters and the South China Morning Post both confirmed that Puntland authorities said the five crew members were killed before the rescue mission took place.
How each side covered it
Left
- Al Jazeera English reported the deaths appear to be the first from Somali piracy in more than a decade.
“The deaths appear to be the first at the hands of Somali pirates in more than a decade.” — Al Jazeera English
Center
- Reuters and South China Morning Post reported Puntland officials said five crew members were killed before the rescue.
- The Straits Times detailed that the tanker MT Honour 25 was seized by pirates in April and was Palau-flagged.
- Center outlets cited Puntland's state television channel and Puntland state officials as sources.
“Security forces from Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland state have rescued the MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged petroleum products tanker seized by pirates in April.” — The Straits Times
Right
- The Jerusalem Post reported the nationalities of those killed: three from Pakistan, one from Myanmar, one from India.
- The Jerusalem Post reported four other crew members were injured.
“Among those killed were three from Pakistan, one from Myanmar, and one from India. Four others were injured.” — The Jerusalem Post
Questions readers ask
What happened to the tanker MT Honour 25?
The Palau-flagged petroleum products tanker MT Honour 25 was hijacked by Somali pirates in April and was rescued by security forces from Somalia's Puntland state, according to The Straits Times. Officials said five crew members were killed by the pirates before the rescue mission.
Who were the crew members killed?
According to The Jerusalem Post, those killed included three crew members from Pakistan, one from Myanmar, and one from India, with four others injured. This detail was reported by a single outlet among the sources reviewed.
Why does this event matter?
Al Jazeera English reported that the deaths appear to be the first caused by Somali pirates in more than a decade, suggesting a notable escalation in piracy-related violence off Somalia's coast.
Who rescued the tanker?
Security forces from Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland state carried out the rescue mission, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post and The Straits Times, which cited Puntland's state television channel.
Sources · 7 outlet reports
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningSomali pirates killed five crew members on hijacked tanker, officials say
- BBC NewsCenterSomali pirates killed oil tanker crew before rescue, official tells BBC
- BBC SportCenterSomali pirates killed oil tanker crew before rescue, official tells BBC
- ReutersCenterPuntland forces rescue another hijacked ship from Somali pirates
- South China Morning PostCenterSomali pirates kill 5 crew on hijacked tanker before rescue
- The Straits TimesCenterPuntland forces rescue another hijacked ship from Somali pirates
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningSomali pirates kill give on hijacked MT Honour 25