Somali Pirates Hike Ransom Demand to $10 Million for Hijacked Cargo Ship

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Families of crew members aboard the hijacked commercial vessel “MT Eureka” said Somali pirates have increased their ransom demand to $10 million as concerns grow over the fate of sailors held off the Somali coast.

Amiira Mohamed, the wife of Egyptian engineer Mohamed Radi, one of eight Egyptian sailors aboard the vessel, said her husband was briefly allowed to contact her by phone.

“He told me the situation is very difficult and pleaded for anyone who can help to intervene for their release,” she said.

According to family members, the ship’s owners had initially assured relatives they were working to resolve the crisis, prompting them to avoid speaking publicly during the early stages of the hijacking.

But anxiety among the families has intensified in recent days amid no clear signs of an imminent release of the crew.

The case has drawn widespread attention in Egypt, where relatives of the sailors have appealed to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Egyptian authorities to urgently secure the release of their family members.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said all Egyptian nationals aboard the ship were “safe” and that the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu remained in continuous contact with Somali authorities and other concerned parties.

Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Ambassador Haddaad Al-Jawhari said Egyptian officials had been closely monitoring the situation since the vessel was attacked in waters near the Somali coast.

The ship was carrying a multinational crew, including Yemeni sailors and eight Egyptians, officials said.

Piracy off Somalia’s coast, once among the world’s most dangerous maritime threats, had declined sharply over the past decade due to international naval patrols and improved security measures. However, recent incidents have raised concerns over a possible resurgence of attacks in the region.

GAROWE ONLINE