The international investigation into the hijacking of a Somali-bound oil tanker has taken a forensic turn, with INTERPOL guiding authorities on how to recover potential fingerprint evidence from the vessel after five crew members were killed during the pirate seizure.
The international police organisation said its specialists briefed Somali authorities ahead of the forensic examination of the MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged tanker seized by pirates off the Puntland coast in April. The guidance focused on preserving crime scene evidence, packaging it correctly and transporting it securely to a laboratory where fingerprints could potentially be recovered.
The development marks a new phase in the investigation following the vessel’s recovery by Puntland security forces in late September. Authorities said five crew members died before the rescue, while suspected pirates were detained and others escaped.
In a statement published on X, INTERPOL said its team had provided technical guidance to authorities preparing to examine the tanker. The process is intended to help investigators preserve evidence that could support efforts to identify those involved in the hijacking.
The tanker investigation formed part of a dedicated INTERPOL action week in Bossaso, where the organisation worked alongside the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) and other Somali law enforcement agencies.
During the operation, an INTERPOL fingerprint expert delivered practical training to Somali officers on the use of next-generation biometric devices. The team also guided authorities on the handling and secure transportation of evidence collected from crime scenes.
National officers subsequently conducted field visits to two detention facilities as part of the wider law enforcement activities.
INTERPOL also reported that 34 suspects linked to terrorism-related crimes were registered during the action week. The organisation described the registrations as an important step in expanding the investigative intelligence available to police forces internationally.
The 34 registrations were reported as part of the broader operation and were not specifically identified as suspects in the MT Honour 25 hijacking.
The work highlights the role of forensic evidence and biometric technology in investigations that cross national borders. By improving the collection and handling of fingerprints, authorities can seek to strengthen the evidentiary basis of criminal investigations and make relevant information available to law enforcement partners.
What Happened to the MT Honour 25?
The MT Honour 25 was hijacked by pirates off Somalia on April 21, with 17 crew members aboard. The vessel was carrying approximately 18,500 barrels of oil at the time of the seizure.
The multinational crew comprised 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan and one national of Myanmar.
Puntland security forces retook the tanker towards the end of September. Following the operation, authorities reported that pirates had killed five crew members before the vessel was recovered.
The victims were identified as three Pakistani nationals, one person from Myanmar and one Indian national, according to the Puntland Maritime Police Force.
The operation also resulted in the detention of 16 suspected pirates. At least 11 others escaped and remained at large, according to the information provided by Puntland authorities.