Three ships hijacked by pirates off Somalia have been freed after months in captivity, but five seafarers died during the rescue of one of them, the head of the International Maritime Organization said.

The operation to free the HONOUR 25 in Somali waters on September 29 left five crew dead and several others seriously injured, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said. The dead included three Pakistani nationals, one Indian and one national of Myanmar, the BBC reported.

The three vessels were seized between April and August 2026. In total, 44 seafarers were freed from the three ships, and governments are working with shipowners on their repatriation.

Twenty-two seafarers remain in captivity aboard the ASANA, which was also hijacked this year. Dominguez urged all efforts to secure their safe release.

Dominguez said seafarers should not have to lose their lives for the service they provide to the world, and called for renewed resolve and cooperation to stop piracy in the region.