State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said the whole nation is very happy as the crew members of the hijacked Bangladeshi cargo vessel MV Abdullah, who were held hostage by Somali pirates, were released on Pahela Baishakh.
“We are happy as we have been able to get them released on the first day of Bangla New Year. Not only their (crew members’) relatives but the whole nation is very happy today [April 14],” he told journalists at his official residence in the city’s Minto Road, according to a press release.
Shipping Department Director General Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam was present on the occasion, reports BSS.
Earlier, Somali pirates released the hijacked Bangladeshi cargo vessel MV Abdullah and its all 23 crew members after keeping them hostage for 32 days.
Noting that it is unprecedented to settle such an incident (rescuing hostages) in such a short period, Khalid said it has been possible due to the active efforts of everyone in the global maritime sector and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Shipping and the International Maritime Wing.
All 23 crew members of MV Abdullah are safe and they are now en route to the UAE, he added.
Khalid extended his sincere thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Shipping, International Maritime Wing, European Naval Force, Indian Navy and Somali Police as all of them cooperated in this regard.
