Foreign Ministry: Three Indonesian Seafarers from Gold Autumn Safe and Set to Return to Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Foreign Ministry states that three Indonesian seafarers (ABK) on the MV Gold Autumn, which was the victim of an explosion in the Arabian Sea, are safe and will return to Indonesia on Sunday (12/4). “The Indonesian representation has ensured that the three Indonesian citizens have obtained flight tickets back to Indonesia provided by the ship’s agent. They are scheduled to return to the homeland on 12 April 2026,” said Acting Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens (PWNI) of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Heni Hamidah, to ANTARA in Jakarta on Saturday. The PWNI Directorate of the Foreign Ministry and the Indonesian representation in Pakistan have followed up on information regarding the three Indonesian ABK on the merchant vessel MV Gold Autumn during the explosion incident on Tuesday (7/4). The Foreign Ministry has not yet determined the exact source of the explosion or the party responsible for the incident on the ship, as the investigation process is still ongoing by local authorities. After the explosion incident occurred, the ship’s captain ordered the crew to abandon the vessel and they were adrift away from the ship before eventually being rescued by the passing MV Yunis. Then, on Wednesday (8/4), the MV Yunis contacted a Pakistani Navy patrol boat, which subsequently evacuated the three Indonesians and all victims from the MV Gold Autumn. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry states that the three Indonesians are in safe condition and are currently in Karachi, Pakistan. The ship was sailing from Shanghai to Oman and was about 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 kilometres) off the coast of Pakistan when the explosion occurred. Due to the explosion, the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Karachi stated that there was significant damage to the ship as well as disruption to the ship’s operational systems. The Foreign Ministry and the Indonesian representation in Pakistan continue to monitor developments in the situation and ensure that the three ABK receive maximum protection. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry also appreciates the Pakistani authorities for the rescue assistance and humanitarian handling provided to the ship’s crew. The Indonesian government urges all Indonesian citizens working in the international shipping sector to always increase vigilance and ensure communication with the nearest Indonesian representation in emergency situations.