InternationalSaturday, 22 August 2026·Hindu Tamil Thisai
Two ships hijacked in Yemen-Somalia waters with 22 Indians: piracy, maritime security and rescue efforts
Two cargo vessels carrying 22 Indians were hijacked in the Yemen and Somalia sea regions, prompting rescue and anti-piracy efforts.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In August 2026, two cargo vessels — the Eritrea-linked oil tanker Sibu 1 and the Cameroon-flagged cargo ship Luthup — were hijacked in the Yemen and Somalia sea regions, with 22 Indian crew members reported on board.
Key specifics
- Sibu 1 had 20 crew members, including 16 Indians, when it was seized about 136 nautical miles off the Yemen coast.
- Luthup had 10 crew members, including 6 Indians, when it was hijacked in Puntland waters near Mareya.
- Officials said the two ships were carrying 22 Indians in total and that all were safe.
- The Sibu 1 tanker was reportedly carrying crude oil from Iran for distribution to several countries.
- Turkish warships and helicopters carried out patrols, and a helicopter attack reportedly killed 4 people.
Exam lens
Question type: International maritime security, piracy hotspots, crew nationality counts, location-based MCQ. TNPSC one-liner: The two hijacked ships were Sibu 1 and Luthup, and the total Indian crew count mentioned was 22.