Today, 16 March, with the help of the Indian Navy, the crew of the hijacked on 14 December 2023 ship "Ruen", including seven Bulgarian citizens, was released. This was stated by outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel.
"Thanks to the efforts of the Indian military, the entire crew of the ship has been released. All sailors are in good health and efforts are being made for their timely return to Bulgaria," Gabriel said.
The Ruen ship with eight Bulgarian, nine Myanmar and one Angolan nationals on board was hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea in December last year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close cooperation with all competent institutions, the Republic of Bulgaria's overseas missions in the region and international partners, is actively engaged in efforts to free the Bulgarian crew.
"Today, 16 March this year, the Indian Ambassador to Sofia was also summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a further request was made to the Indian side to cooperate and take all possible actions to protect the life and health of the crew.
I am very grateful for the assistance of the Indian side in the process of releasing the Bulgarian sailors," Gabriel further said. /BGNES
