Indian Navy conducts medical evacuation as sailor injured on hijacked vessel MV Ruen receives aid

In a dramatic turn of events, one of 18 sailors on board hijacked merchant vessel Ruen was transferred to Indian stealth destroyer INS Kochi on Monday for urgent medical assistance, according to officials familiar with matter. injured sailor, a Bulgarian national, was promptly treated on board INS Kochi and is currently en route to a shore-based medical facility for furr evaluation, as reported on Tuesday. 

" pirates allowed sailor to be evacuated from Ruen after he was injured. He needed urgent medical attention. He is being taken to a shore-based hospital," disclosed an official who preferred not to be named. Details surrounding nature of injury sustained by sailor were not immediately available, ding a layer of mystery to unfolding maritime incident. 

Chronology of rvents: From piracy to medical evacuation 

Indian warship, INS Kochi, equipped with marine commandos, h been tailing Maltese-flagged merchant vessel Ruen since its seizure by unidentified attackers in Arabian Sea on December 14. vessel was initially located by an Indian Navy P-8I maritime patrol aircraft on December 15, with warship intercepting it a day later.

Simultaneously, European Union Naval Force's (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta, EU maritime security operation in western Indian Ocean, joined collaborative anti-piracy effort. Ruen h transmitted a distress call to United Kingdom Maritime Tre Operations (UKMTO) on December 14, reporting a loss of control over vessel. Managed by Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare (Navibulgar), bulk carrier's crew consists of members from Bulgaria, Angola, and Myanmar. 

Piracy Resurfaces in Arabian Sea

hijacking of Ruen has thrust piracy in Arabian Sea back into spotlight. While pirate attacks in region peaked between 2008 and 2013, a concerted effort by multi-national maritime task force h substantially curbed incidents in subsequent years. December 14 incident marks first piracy event in last three years, renewing concerns about resurgence of such maritime threats. 

According to EUNAVFOR data, Arabian Sea witnessed a significant decline in piracy, with almost 700 attacks recorded during 2008-2013, dropping to a mere 16 incidents during 2014-2019. figures encompass all suspected pirate attacks, including those repelled, aborted, and successful hijackings leing to hostage situations.

Indian Navy has been a stalwart in anti-piracy efforts in Gulf of en for over 15 years. Maintaining a continuous presence since October 23, 2008, one Indian warship has undertaken round--clock anti-piracy patrols to protect Indian sea-borne tre, instill confidence in seafaring community, and act as a deterrent against pirates. Over 107 Indian warships have been deployed in Gulf of en, successfully thwarting numerous piracy attempts and safely escorting thousands of Indian-flagged merchant vessels, ensuring safety of tens of thousands of Indian sailors. 

As Ruen incident unfolds, naval chiefs from several countries with strategic interests in Indian Ocean region convened in Thailand on Tuesday. conclave serves as a platform to discuss ways to enhance maritime cooperation, dress challenges in vast expanse of Indian Ocean, and strengn security architecture to ensure uninterrupted flow of global maritime tre. ongoing meeting reflects collaborative commitment of nations to tackle evolving maritime threats and bolster regional security.