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

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The families of crew members aboard the hijacked commercial vessel “MT Eureka” say Somali pirates have raised their ransom demand to $10 million, deepening fears for the sailors being held off the Somali coast.

Amiira Mohamed, the wife of Egyptian engineer Mohamed Radi, who is among eight Egyptian sailors on the ship, said her husband was briefly allowed to call 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.

Relatives said the ship’s owners had first told them they were trying to handle the crisis, which led them to stay quiet in the early days after the hijacking.

In recent days, however, the families’ alarm has grown as no release appears close and no clear breakthrough has emerged.

The incident has stirred strong concern in Egypt, where relatives of the sailors have appealed to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Egyptian officials to move quickly to secure their return.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said all Egyptian nationals on board were “safe” and that the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu was staying in constant contact with Somali authorities and other relevant parties.

Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Ambassador Haddaad Al-Jawhari said Egyptian officials have been following the case closely since the vessel came under attack in waters near the Somali coast.

Officials said the vessel carried a multinational crew that included Yemeni sailors and eight Egyptians.

Piracy off Somalia’s coast, once one of the most serious maritime threats in the world, fell sharply over the past decade after international naval patrols and stronger security measures were put in place. But a recent series of incidents has renewed concern that attacks in the area may be returning.

AXADLETM