Daijiworld Media Network - New Dehi

New Delhi, Jun 24 :  The 22-member crew that landed in Karachi on Thursday June 23 after being in captivity for 10 months in the pirated Egyptian owned vessel MV Suez,  were relieved after meeting their family members at the Karachi seaport.

Six Indian sailors of the MV Suez are expected to reach Indira Gandhi International Airport, here on Friday June 24.

"Today we are here, because of the great help and initiative offered by Pakistani activist Ansar Burney," said one of the sailors. Burney had arranged lumsum money to release the sailors from the Somalian pirates' capitivity. 

"All we want, is to see our family members, we are happy to know about their well-being, thank God, we are back" , said Indian sailor Ravinder Singh to the media in Karachi.

Family members of the sailors are expected to receive them at the airport

Earlier:

10-month Ordeal Ends in Joyful Reunion for Rescued MV Suez Sailors
 
New Delhi, Jun 23: Ending almost a year of untold misery, the rescued crew members of MV Suez finally landed in Karachi in Pakistan on Thursday June 23, aboard the PNS Zulfiqar .

Somali pirates, who had hijacked the vessel ten months ago in October 2010, released the MV Suez last week reportedly in return for a ransom of $2.1 million. The negotiations were led by Pakistani Human Rights Activist Ansar Burney.

The 22-member crew of the Egyptian vessel comprises six Indians, 11 Egyptians, four Pakistanis and one Sri Lankan.

The Indian sailors will be reaching New Delhi on Friday June 24, sources said.

After their release by the pirates, the MV Suez on June 17 ran out of fuel while on the Omani waters and the crew had to abandon the vessel, after an effort to tug the vessel to Omani shores too went in vain.

Following a request to the Pakistan external ministry, the Pakistan Navy launched Operation Umeed-e-Nuh to rescue the crew.  The sailors were taken aboard PNS Babar and later shifted to PNS Zulfiqar, as the former vessel is currently deployed in another operation and cannot not sail to Pakistan.

In a statement, the Pakistan Navy said that the MV Suez was in a 'deteriorated operational and material state', while the crew were in need of immediate medical attention.

During rescue efforts by India and Pakistan, the two countries were embroiled in controversies over each other's manoeuvres, with the latter accusing the Indian Navy of brushing against its vessel, which India met with a counter-allegation.