TDS Desk:

The 23 crew members of MV Abdullah, which was released on April 14 after 31 days of captivity by Somali pirates, finally met their families as the vessel reached the Chattogram port on Tuesday afternoon.

The crew members received a warm welcome when vessel MV MVJahan Moni-3 carrying them from Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar reached New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT)-1 of the port around 3:45 pm.

Families relieved as MV Abdullah docks at Kutubdia with all 23 crew members

Relatives were waiting for the sailors’ safe return and the long wait ended today. Relatives gathered at the port jetty with flowers.

Omar Faruk, secretary to Chattogram Port Authorities (CPA) greeted the crew with flowers.

When MV Jahan Moni-3 anchored the jetty in the afternoon three tugboats guarded the vessel to ensure security of the crew members.

MV Abdullah leaving UAE for Bangladesh today

Earlier, MV Abdullah left for Chattogram from Kutubdia point in Cox’s Bazar around 2 pm.

Deputy managing director of KSRM ShahrierZahanRahat, officials, and port officials also gathered at the port to receive them.

Later, the port authorities organised a brief programme on this occasion where Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury was present, among others.

AbdunNur Khan Asif, younger brother of Chief Officer of the vessel AtiqullahKhan , said “I can’t express in words how happy we are that my elder brother is back. The whole family was waiting for this day.”

Mizanul Islam, media adviser of KSRM, said the crew members will go to their respective homes and all preparation was taken to send them to their destinations safely.

New crew members will take the charge of the vessel MV Abdullah today, he said.

The vessel, which was hijacked for 33 days, departed Al-Hamriya Port in the United Arab Emirates for Bangladesh on April 28 after unloading 55,000 metric tonnes of coal.

MV Abdullah initially anchored at the UAE port on the evening of April 22, following its release from pirates’ captivity.

The ship first arrived at the outer anchorage of the port on April 21, following its ordeal which began on March 12 when it was seized by Somali pirates about 600 nautical miles off the Somali coast en route from Mozambique to Dubai.

The pirates took control of the vessel and its crew, holding them until a ransom of Tk 55 crore facilitated their release on the night of April 13.