Asia/Pacific News
Orkim Harmony: Crew Member Shot, but Tanker Released After Pirates Flee, Are Later Captured
Malaysian navy and maritime officials Friday said product tanker Orkim Harmony that went missing last week has been released by its hijackers who fled the vessel, Malaysian Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar has confirmed.
Commenting on his Twitter account, Jaafar said the pirates fled Orkim Harmony at around 8.15-8.30 pm last night local time "using the vessel's rescue boat."
Following their escape a total of three Malaysian navy ships plus two helicopters were said to have been in pursuit of the fleeing pirates.
A later update said that at 6:30am local time today, eight Indonesians believed to be the pirates were found near Tho Chu Island, Vietnam.
They were in a lifeboat and claimed that their fishing vessel had sank.
Jaafar said the investigation was ongoing.
All but one of Orkim Harmony's 22 crew are said to be safe, with Jaafar saying the vessel's cook has a gunshot wound to the thigh.
Orkim Harmony is now being escorted by the navy to Malaysia's Kuantan Port and is expected to arrive at 2 am on Saturday June 20, he added.
Ship & Bunker reported yesterday that Orkim Harmony, which went missing on June 11, had been located in Cambodian waters after being repainted and renamed to Kim Harmon.
