Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The government on Saturday confirmed that seven Bangladeshi sailors, who were abducted from a sinking vessel on July 7, are alive and have now been shifted to another hijacked fishing vessel by pirates.
It has been primarily confirmed through Maritime Piracy and Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) based in London, quoting sources in the UN Office for Somalia, Nairobi, that “the seven Bangladeshi crews are alive and have now been shifted to another hijacked fishing vessel by the pirates,” a foreign ministry statement said.
The foreign ministry said the Malaysian flag vessel MV Albedo which reportedly sank on July 7, off the coast of Somalia, learnt that the seven Bangladesh nationals, who were held hostages, were on board before the ship sank.
But the release of the crews of Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Iran and Pakistan, who have been abducted from the ship, became uncertain as the Malaysian authorities informed that they were unable to influence as the Malaysian owner had already abandoned the ship.
However, the foreign ministry said it remained actively engaged with all concerned, both at home and abroad since the abduction of seven Bangladeshi crews, along with crews from India, Sri Lanka, Iran and Pakistan.
The statement said the concerned authorities in Malaysia were approached as the ship owner is a Malaysian national and the Malaysian high commissioner in Dhaka was also called at the ministry and she was requested to use their good offices.
Bangladesh high commission in Nairobi was also instructed to maintain close liaison with the UN Office for Somalia in Nairobi. The ministry is keeping close contacts, and liaising with all concerned for the speedy release and safe return of Bangladeshi crews to the country.
The ministry urged the media to refrain from any incorrect information, which may complicate the issue further and undermine the efforts, undertaken by the government for their safe and early release.
As regards payment of ransom to the hijackers, the foreign ministry noted that as a matter of principle, no government, including the government of Bangladesh can pay ransom to any such case of piracy.
In addition to the series of steps taken by the ministry to get them released, it has been continuously maintaining communications through informal channels with relevant authorities including MPHRP, it added.
BBN/SSR/AD-13July13-9:30 pm (BST)
