MV Abdullah sailors to reunite with families today

The 23 sailors from MV Abdullah, recently released from the captivity of Somali pirates, will reunite with their families around 4.00pm today (14 May).

To celebrate their reunion, the Chittagong Port Authority is hosting a reception at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) with the presence of sailors' families.

The sailors’ families are preparing various arrangements to warmly welcome their loved ones home, devising numerous plans to greet them.

Following the reception, the sailors will depart for home with their families.

The 23 freed sailors are onboard a lighter vessel, MV Jahan Moni 3, and will arrive at Chattogram port jetty around 4:00pm, said Mohammed Omar Faruk, secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority.

"I am eagerly waiting to embrace my son. I am cooking his favourite food, shutki bhorta [dried fish paste] and shrimp," said Lutfe Ara Begum, mother of one of the 23 sailors.

"I am hoping and waiting for his safe return since he was taken hostage," she added.

She conveyed her gratitude to both the ship owner and the government for the quick rescission of all the sailors from the Somali pirates.

Abdur Rashid, the master of MV Abdullah, said, "The 23 sailors are in good health."

The 23 crew members of MV Abdullah are: Captain Mohammad Abdur Rashid, Chief Officer Md Atiq Ullah Khan, Second Officer Mozaherul Islam Chowdhury, Third Officer N Mohammad Tarekul Islam, Deck Cadet Md Sabbir Hossain, Chief Engineer ASM Saieduzzaman, Second Engineer Md Toufiqul Islam, Third Engineer Md Rokon Uddin, Fourth Engineer Tanvir Ahmed, Engine Cadet Ayub Khan, Electrician Ibrahim Khalil Ullah, Able Seaman (AB) Mohammad Anowarul Haq, Md Asifur Rahman, Md Sajjad Hossain, Joy Mahmud, Ordinary Seaman (OS) Md Nazmul Haq, Oiler Ainul Haq, Mohammad Shamsuddin, Md Ali Hossen, Fireman Mosharraf Hossen Shakil, Chief Cook Md Shafiqul Islam, General Steward (GS) Mohammad Nur Uddin, and Fitter Mohammad Saleh Ahmed.