The families of the Egyptian sailors explain: “They are in a safe place.”

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After about 151 days of waiting, anxiety, and pleas, joy returned to the homes of the families of 8 Egyptian sailors, following the announcement of their release after being detained on board a ship off the coast of the Puntland region in Somalia since May 2.

While the families lived during that period in a state of fear and anticipation over the fate of their relatives, the news of the sailors’ release brought a new glimmer of hope, with Egyptian movements to secure their return to the homeland.

Adel Imam, the uncle of Sameh Al-Desouki, one of the Egyptian sailors who were detained on board the ship, said in a statement to Al-Arabiya.net/Al-Hadath.net that the family is currently experiencing a state of joy and happiness after the announcement of the sailors’ release, indicating that the Egyptian leadership made great efforts to end their detention and return them to the homeland.

He also stressed that the Egyptian movements during the period of the sailors’ detention were greatly appreciated by their families, who for more than 5 months had lived in a state of anxiety and fear for their children, and were awaiting any news that would reassure them of their conditions, thanking Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

He also added that Sameh's mother contacted him, and he assured her that he was in a safe place after his release, and that he was preparing to return to Egypt, explaining that the information that reached the family indicated the possibility of his return to the homeland tomorrow, after the necessary procedures were completed. He explained that the news of the sailors' release was a turning point for their families, saying that joy returned to the homes again after 151 days of sadness, anxiety and fear, a period that the families lived through waiting for the safe return of their children.

Meanwhile, Amr Akram, the brother of Egyptian naval officer Moamen Akram, one of the crew members who were also detained on board the ship, confirmed to Al Arabiya.net/Al Hadath.net that the family is experiencing a great state of joy and happiness after the announcement of his release, considering that “everyone is impatiently awaiting his return to the homeland.”

He added that the family began preparing to receive Moamen immediately after his return, noting that the moment of his arrival will be different for them, especially after the long period they lived in a state of anxiety and anticipation.

It is noteworthy that more than five months after their kidnapping off the Somali coast, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced, on Wednesday, the release of 8 Egyptian sailors who had been detained on board a ship off one of the coasts of the Puntland region in Somalia since May 2.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati directed the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu to receive the sailors after their release, check on their conditions, and work to facilitate their return to Egypt on the nearest flight.

The oil tanker MT Eureka was pirated at the beginning of last May by Somali armed groups while sailing off the Yemeni coast, and 12 sailors, including 8 Egyptians and 4 Indians, have been detained on board since May 2. For 151 days, the families of the sailors waited for news of their relatives, amidst ambiguity surrounding the conditions of their detention and their fate, while negotiations for their release repeatedly faltered, due to disagreements regarding the value of the requested ransom.