Negotiations stall for release of Egyptian sailors held by Somali pirates; families blame ship owner

Pirates have held eight Egyptian sailors from the MT Eureka since May 2026, with release talks reaching a deadlock.

• The father of the captain stated that the ship owner has failed to disburse the ransom despite government facilitation, prolonging the detention.
• The wife of a detained sailor said pirates confiscated the crew's mobile phones, cutting off communication and increasing distress.
• The head of the Egyptian Maritime Officers Syndicate stated that the owner initially agreed to a $2 million ransom but later negotiated for $500,000, causing loss of trust and deadlock.