IMO mourns five seafarers killed during HONOUR 25 rescue

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has expressed condolences following the deaths of five seafarers during a rescue operation in Somali waters. The incident occurred on 29 September during an attempt to free the vessel HONOUR 25, which had been hijacked in the Gulf of Aden region.

While the HONOUR 25 was successfully released, several crew members were seriously injured during the operation. The rescue was part of a broader effort that also saw the release of the SEAMULL (SIBU 1) and the MT EUREKA, vessels that had been held captive by pirates and armed robbers since being seized between April and August 2026.

A total of 44 seafarers were freed across the three vessels, and their respective governments are coordinating with shipowners for repatriation. However, 22 seafarers remain in captivity aboard the vessel ASANA, which was also taken hostage earlier this year.