Two commercial vessels carrying 22 Indian nationals have been hijacked in separate incidents near Yemen and Somalia. The Seamull tanker, with 16 Indians onboard, was seized by armed men near Al Mukalla, while M/V LUTUF carrying six Indians was hijacked off Somalia. Maritime agencies are monitoring the situation.

Two commercial vessels with a total of 22 Indian nationals on board have been hijacked in separate incidents off Yemen and Somalia, according to officials and maritime security reports.

Tanker boarded by six armed persons

The Seamull tanker, also known as SIBU 1, has 16 Indians among its 20-member crew. The vessel issued a distress call after it was approached 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen, according to shipping monitor Vanguard.

"The tanker has reportedly been boarded by six armed persons, who are now in control of the vessel and redirecting it towards Somalia," said the EU's Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO).