Indian Sailor Rescued 40 Days After Being Taken Hostage by Pirates

Rohan was taken hostage after his ship with 10 other Indians on board was hijacked by pirates.

Sailor Rohan Ruparelia. (Photo Courtesy: Rohan Ruparelia’s Facebook page)

An Indian sailor, who was taken hostage by pirates nearly a month-and-a-half ago has been “rescued”, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday.

Rohan Ruparelia was taken hostage after his ship, with 10 other Indians on board, was seized by pirates off the Ivory Coast on 11 February.

While 10 Indian crew members were rescued by the Nigerian Navy from the vessel Maximus on 19 February, Rohan was taken hostage by the pirates.

Later, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said with this, all 11 Indian crew members are safe and secure and are returning to India in batches.

Rohan flew back to India Sunday night, Swarup added.