NEW DELHI: The crew members of the Indian-owned vessel MV Lili Norfolk expressed their gratitude to the Indian Navy for saving them. Off the coast of Somalia, the Indian Navy successfully evacuated the hijacked ship MV Lila Norfolk on Friday. The crew members are seen thanking the Indian Navy and chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” in a video that the Navy posted. “We were stuck for 24 hours,” stated an Indian who was saved by the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy arrived to save them, so we were relieved.” “Proud of the Indian Navy,” remarked a second man. On January 6, 2024, the Indian Navy’s marine commandos freed 21 crew members—including 15 Indians—from the hijacked MV Lila Norfolk, which was flying the Liberian flag.After armed pirates attempted to take over the ship, the crew members were saved in a quick operation in the North Arabian Sea. The Indian Navy said, “Indian Navy’s Swift Response to the Hijacking Attempt of MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea,” in a statement published on X on Friday. The 21 crew members—including the 15 Indians—safely left the citadel. The hijackers’ absence has been confirmed by MARCOs’ sanitation efforts.” The statement stated that the pirates’ attempt at hijacking was likely abandoned after receiving a strong warning from the Indian Navy, MPA, about possible interception by Indian Naval warships. INS Chennai is close to the MV and is providing assistance to restart the power generation and propulsion so that the vessel can start her journey to the next port of call.
