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

In a dramatic turn of events, one of the 18 sailors on board the hijacked merchant vessel Ruen was transferred to the Indian stealth destroyer INS Kochi on Monday for urgent medical assistance, according to officials familiar with the matter. The injured sailor, a Bulgarian national, was promptly treated on board the INS Kochi and is currently en route to a shore-based medical facility for further evaluation, as reported on Tuesday. "The pirates allowed the 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 the nature of the injury sustained by the sailor were not immediately available, adding a layer of mystery to the unfolding maritime incident. Chronology of rvents: From piracy to medical evacuation The Indian warship, INS Kochi, equipped with marine commandos, had been tailing the Maltese-flagged merchant vessel Ruen since its seizure by unidentified attackers in the Arabian Sea on December 14. The vessel was initially located by an Indian Navy P-8I maritime patrol aircraft on December 15, with the warship intercepting it a day later.UPDATE: the alleged hijacked M/V RUEN is sailing along the north coast of Puntland, Somalia. The #EUNAVFOR flagship ESPS #VICTORIA is currently monitoring the incident and coordinating with local authorities on further action. The situation on board the M/V is unknown. https://t.co/8Pvq3D0FR2— EUNAVFOR (@EUNAVFOR) December 17, 2023 Simultaneously, the European Union Naval Force's (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta, the EU maritime security operation in the western Indian Ocean, joined the collaborative anti-piracy effort. Ruen had transmitted a distress call to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on December 14, reporting a loss of control over the vessel. Managed by Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare (Navibulgar), the bulk carrier's crew consists of members from Bulgaria, Angola, and Myanmar. Piracy Resurfaces in the Arabian SeaCredit- EUNAFORThe hijacking of Ruen has thrust piracy in the Arabian Sea back into the spotlight. While pirate attacks in the region peaked between 2008 and 2013, a concerted effort by the multi-national maritime task force had substantially curbed incidents in subsequent years. The December 14 incident marks the first piracy event in the last three years, renewing concerns about the resurgence of such maritime threats. According to EUNAVFOR data, the 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. The figures encompass all suspected pirate attacks, including those repelled, aborted, and successful hijackings leading to hostage situations.The Indian Navy has been a stalwart in anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden for over 15 years. Maintaining a continuous presence since October 23, 2008, one Indian warship has undertaken round-the-clock anti-piracy patrols to protect Indian sea-borne trade, instill confidence in the seafaring community, and act as a deterrent against pirates. Over 107 Indian warships have been deployed in the Gulf of Aden, successfully thwarting numerous piracy attempts and safely escorting thousands of Indian-flagged merchant vessels, ensuring the safety of tens of thousands of Indian sailors. As the Ruen incident unfolds, naval chiefs from several countries with strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region convened in Thailand on Tuesday. The conclave serves as a platform to discuss ways to enhance maritime cooperation, address challenges in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, and strengthen the security architecture to ensure the uninterrupted flow of global maritime trade. The ongoing meeting reflects the collaborative commitment of nations to tackle evolving maritime threats and bolster regional security.

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

Amid the hijacking of the merchant vessel Ruen, INS Kochi intervened, evacuating an injured Bulgarian sailor for urgent medical care.

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