National

Pirates taking hijacked Bangladeshi ship to Somalia coast

Somali pirates who have hijacked Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah are taking the ship to their safe zone on Somalia's coast while the owners of the ship, SR Shipping, a sister concern of KSRM, continued their efforts to make contact with the pirates.

“We are yet to make contact with the pirates. But our officials were able to contact some of the crew members and they informed us that the pirates are taking the ship to Somalia cost,” media officer of KSRM Group Mizanul Islam told BSS on Wednesday.

He said a total of 23 crew members are on the ship and all of them are safe and physically well.

Mizanul said KSRM and SR Shipping have already informed the matter to all international organizations concerned and sought their cooperation on the issue.

“We’re also getting all sorts of cooperation from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter,” he added.

He said the pirates have now taken full control of the ship.

There is no scope to start negotiation for the rescue of the crew or the ship until the pirates make contact, Mizan said, adding, “We’re hopeful that the pirates would make contact after taking the ship to their safe area in Somalia coast.

“The UK-based insurer of the ship has already started taking steps to make contact with the pirates,” he added.

Source: BSS