A suspected pirate attack on the Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel, MENGXIN 1, has left three crew members kidnapped and the Ghana Navy scrambling to investigate. The attack occurred on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at approximately 5:53 PM in Ghanaian waters.
Seven armed individuals boarded the vessel, firing warning shots and forcing crew members to seek refuge. The pirates remained on board for three hours, confiscating mobile phones and assembling the crew on deck. After their departure, the crew discovered that the Captain, Chief Mate, and Chief Engineer – all Chinese nationals – were missing and suspected to have been kidnapped.
The remaining crew members sailed closer to land to report the incident, as there was no mobile network coverage at sea. The vessel has since docked safely at the Tema Fishing Harbour, where initial interrogations were conducted.
The Ghana Navy has launched an investigation and shared information with neighboring countries through the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone F in Accra. This collaborative effort aims to locate the kidnappers and rescue the abducted crew members.
Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie assured the public that intelligence agencies are working tirelessly to locate and rescue the kidnapped crew members. The Ghana Navy is also working closely with regional and international partners to address the threat of piracy and ensure the safety of vessels operating in Ghanaian waters.
