24 Pakistani Hostages, LPG Tanker Released by Houthis: Mohsin Naqvi

Interior Minister confirms safe release of 27 crew members after Israeli drone strike at Yemen port

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Saturday that a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker with 27 crew members, including 24 Pakistanis, has been safely released by the Houthis and has exited Yemeni waters.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Naqvi said:

“Alhamdulillah, the tanker and its crew have now been released by the Houthis and are out of Yemeni waters.”

Details of the Incident

The LPG tanker, carrying 24 Pakistanis (including Captain Mukhtar Akbar), two Sri Lankans, and one Nepali, came under Israeli drone attack on September 17, 2025, while docked at Ras al-Esa port, under Houthi control.

The strike caused one LPG tank to explode, but the crew managed to extinguish the fire. Soon after, the vessel was intercepted by Houthi boats and the crew was held hostage aboard the ship for over a week.

Government and Diplomatic Efforts

Naqvi credited the success to tireless efforts by Pakistan’s security agencies, Interior Ministry officials, and diplomatic missions. He particularly praised Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, Ambassador Naveed Bokhari in Oman, colleagues in Saudi Arabia, and Pakistani security officials for working “day and night under extraordinary conditions to secure the safe release of our citizens when hope was fading.”

The Foreign Office also confirmed that Pakistani embassies maintained contact with Yemeni authorities to ensure the crew’s safety and kept family members updated.

FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that efforts were made to restart the tanker’s operations, and the vessel has now departed the Yemeni port safely.

Current Status

The LPG tanker has left Yemeni waters, and all 27 crew members are safe and sound. Officials reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and maintaining close diplomatic coordination during such crises.