Three more rescued sailors return from Somalia

Three Pakistani crew members who were released from the custody of Somali pirates arrived in Karachi on an Ethiopian Airlines flight, where they were received by Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and other government officials.

The returning crew members were identified as Second Engineer Hussain Yousuf, Imran Ali Junejo and Muhammad Yasin. Two of them are from Karachi, while one belongs to Swat. Their families gave them an emotional welcome upon their return. Speaking to the media, Second Engineer Hussain Yousuf said the ship was hijacked by pirates on April 21, while an operation to retake the vessel began on September 29. He said intense firing during the operation created a chaotic situation and three Pakistanis were killed.

Crew member Muhammad Yasin said the pirates tied many of their colleagues to the ship's railing and subjected them to severe treatment. He described the five-month ordeal as an extremely difficult period, saying some crew members, including himself, survived the incident "miraculously."

Imran Ali Junejo said the experiences of the five months in captivity were difficult to describe in words and that they faced a new ordeal every day.