Pakistani sailors held aboard a hijacked oil tanker off Somalia have appealed for urgent help, saying they are running out of food, medicine, and drinking water. The crew is reportedly being held captive by pirates who seized the vessel last month in the Indian Ocean.
The tanker, traveling from Oman to Somalia, was taken over by more than 50 armed pirates on April 21. Seventeen crew members are onboard, including 10 Pakistanis. Families of the hostages say they were recently allowed short phone calls with their loved ones for the first time in weeks.
Read more: Somalia waters piracy incident leaves Pakistani crew hostage
According to crew members, conditions on the vessel have deteriorated sharply. They said they survive on a single daily meal of boiled rice. Medicines have reportedly run out, leaving sick crew members without treatment during captivity.
The sailors also described a severe shortage of drinking water. They claimed they are now forced to consume contaminated water used by the pirates after their own supplies were exhausted. The situation has raised serious concerns about their health and safety.
Read more: Pakistan contacts Somalia over pirate hostage crisis
Human rights groups and family members have urged authorities to take immediate action for their release. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said it is in contact with Somali authorities and believes the crew remains safe, while diplomatic efforts continue to resolve the hostage situation.