Al Taj crew to be flown back to India after questioning

Dubai, May 14 (UNI) The crew of Indian-owned UAE-registered ship, which was attacked by Somali pirates, will be flown back to India after questioning by the Customs officials here.

MV Al Taj, that yesterday arrived at the Hamriya Port here with 12 crewmembers on board, was attacked on April 27 by the pirates, which led to the death of a 32-year-old Indian crew Juma Othman. The Custom officials took the crew for investigation after their arrival.

Ship owner Narandra Shial said the wooden boat was only released after a Somali businessman paid a ransom of 25,000 dollars.

Othman was buried at sea after an on-board funeral as it was difficult to carry the body back to the shore without decomposing.

The pirates had taken control of the ship sailing to Kismayu after unloading part of the cargo meant for 20 businessmen in El-Maan port area in Somalia.

The Indian vessel was commandeered to Harardheere, 400 kms North of capital Mogadishu, where it remained till its release a week ago.

The vessel would sail to Gujarat in a few days.

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