The Indian Navy on January 5 said that all 21 crew members on MV Lila Norfolk that was hijacked off Somalia coast in the Arabian Sea have been safely evacuated.
In a statement on X, the Navy spokesperson said that the marine commandos have confirmed the absence of the hijackers after a sanitisation operation.
"All 21 crew (incl #15Indians) onboard safely evacuated from the citadel. Sanitisation by MARCOs has confirmed absence of the hijackers. The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the #IndianNavy MPA of interception by Indian Naval warship. #INSChennai is in the vicinity of MV and rendering support to restore the power generation & propulsion, and commence her voyage to next port of call," said Navy in the post.