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Hijacked Ship MV Abdullah Released from Somali Pirate Captivity
Bangladeshi cargo ship MV Abdullah and its 23 crew members, previously held hostage by Somali pirates, have been released.
KSRM media advisor Mizanul Islam confirmed the news at 3:45 am on Sunday. He informed the media, “We received the good news a while ago. Our ship with 23 sailors has been released. All 23 sailors are unharmed and in good health. We will hold a press conference at the KSRM headquarters at noon on Sunday to provide details.”
The Bangladeshi-flagged ship and its crew were freed after 31 days of captivity in the Indian Ocean, although the exact ransom amount remains undisclosed.
According to a Somali news outlet, MV Abdullah was released in exchange for $5 million (Tk 55 crore).
When questioned about the ransom payment, Mizanul responded, “I can’t disclose that at this moment. But we were able to negotiate the release of our ship and sailors.”
Meanwhile, the ship has departed Somalia and is en route to the United Arab Emirates, as confirmed by KSRM Group’s deputy managing director, Shahriar Jahan Rahat. He stated, “Our ship has left for the United Arab Emirates after being released.”
The incident occurred on March 12 at 1:30 pm Bangladesh time, when Somali pirates hijacked MV Abdullah while it was traveling from the port of Maputo, Mozambique, to the United Arab Emirates. The ship, carrying 55,000 tons of coal, had a crew of 23 Bangladeshis. It is owned by SR Shipping Limited, a subsidiary of Chattogram-based Kabir Group. The pirates subsequently took the vessel to the coast of Somalia.
Nine days after the hijacking, the pirates contacted the ship’s owner to demand ransom, initiating negotiations at various levels. The ship’s owner had hinted at the sailors’ potential release later in the month.
SR Shipping is one of the country’s leading shipping companies, operating ocean-going merchant ships. The bulk carrier MV Abdullah, with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 45,653 tons, measures 185.74 meters in overall length (LOA) and 30.4 meters in width.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued forecasts of rain or thundershowers for Dhaka, Rangpur, and five other divisions, commencing from 9 am today and extending over the next 24 hours. This weather forecast encompasses Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions, where accompanying gusty or squally winds are anticipated during the rainfall. Additionally, Chattogram division is expected to experience some activity, albeit in fewer places, with the potential for hail in isolated areas.
The BMD bulletin highlights that various areas within these seven divisions may witness significant thunderstorm activity, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, with isolated occurrences of hail.
Temperature levels across the nation are projected to remain consistent, both during daytime and at night. Over the past 24-hour period, Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature in the country at 34.7 degrees Celsius, while Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, experienced the lowest temperature at 21.2 degrees Celsius.
Dhaka witnessed the most substantial rainfall, measuring up to 87mm. Residents in the affected divisions are advised to prepare for adverse weather conditions and stay informed about further forecasts from the BMD.
The Jashore Education Board has achieved the highest pass rate of 92.32% among the nine boards in the 2024 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination, according to official data.
Conversely, Sylhet remained at the bottom with a pass rate of 73.35%, continuing its trend from last year when it also recorded the lowest pass rate of 76.06%.
Data from the education board website reveals that the Dhaka board secured a pass rate of 83.92%, while Rajshahi board achieved 89.25%, Cumilla board 79.20%, Barishal board 89.13%, Chattogram board 82.80%, Dinajpur board 78.40%, and Mymensingh board 84.97%.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the results of this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations. Students have been able to access their results through the official website.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the 2024 Hajj program (1445 hijri) in Ashkona, the capital, today, May 8th.
Subsequently, she exchanged pleasantries with the Hajj pilgrims at the Ashkona Hajj camp.
The maiden Hajj flight is set to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia on Thursday (May 9).
Dedicated Hajj flights will also operate from Chattogram and Sylhet airports, landing at Jeddah and Medina airports.
This year, 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to undertake the holy journey. Among them, 4,562 will be under government management, while 80,695 will be managed privately.
The Hajj is tentatively scheduled for June 15th, contingent upon the moon sighting.
In attendance were Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, and president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahadat Hossain Taslim.
Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome address.
