BREAKING: Cargo Vessel Runs Aground Off Somali Coast With 18 Crew Aboard

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: A cargo vessel carrying more than 7,000 metric tons of cargo has run aground off the Somali coast after water entered part of the ship, Somalia’s Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport said on Thursday.

The vessel, M/V JACUAR (IMO 9181821), was sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis and was travelling from Nacala Port in Mozambique to Adabiya Port in Egypt when the incident occurred.

According to the ministry, the vessel was carrying approximately 7,007.73 metric tons of cargo and had 18 crew members on board. The crew are nationals of India, Syria and Egypt.

The ministry did not immediately specify the exact location where the vessel ran aground or disclose the nature of its cargo. It also did not provide details on the extent of damage to the ship or whether the water ingress had been contained.

Somali authorities said they were monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant agencies on rescue and emergency response operations, with the safety of the crew the immediate priority.

No casualties were reported in the ministry’s initial statement.

The ministry said further information would be released as the situation develops.