Four Indonesian Crew Freed from Somali Pirates Return Home Safely

RRI.CO.ID, Tangerang - After months of uncertainty, four Indonesian seafarers held hostage by Somali pirates aboard the oil tanker MT Honour 25 have finally returned home.

Their arrival at Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday night, October 6, 2026, marked the end of a long ordeal that tested Indonesia’s diplomatic and humanitarian resolve.

The crew members — Ashari Samadikun, captain from Gowa, South Sulawesi; Adi Faizal, second officer from Bulukumba, South Sulawesi; Wahudinanto, chief officer from Pemalang, Central Java; and Fiki Mutakin from Bogor, West Java — were released following complex negotiations coordinated by the Indonesian embassies in Nairobi, Islamabad, and the consulate in Karachi.

At the VVIP Terminal, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Sugiono and Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir personally welcomed the men at 6:41 p.m. local time.

Families and relatives greeted them with tears of relief, with one parent reportedly fainting upon seeing their child safe after months of captivity.

Minister Sugiono said the repatriation underscored the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad. He pledged full medical and psychological support for the crew to aid their recovery.

“We want to ensure that health care for our brothers continues properly after this process,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

The minister also expressed deep gratitude to all institutions involved, including the Foreign Ministry, Transportation Ministry, Commission I of the House of Representatives, and Indonesian missions abroad, for their role in securing the release.

The MT Honour 25, hijacked on April 22 in waters off Hafun, northeastern Somalia, carried 16 crew members: four Indonesians, 10 Pakistanis, one Indian, and one Myanmar national.

Indonesian officials confirmed in late April that the hostages were in good condition, with logistical needs and salaries maintained during negotiations.

The Foreign Ministry coordinated closely with Somali authorities, local leaders, and business stakeholders to prioritize crew safety. The successful release highlights Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to protect its citizens working in high‑risk maritime zones.

As the four men reunite with their families, officials stress that the case also serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by seafarers and the importance of international cooperation in combating piracy. ***