Three Chinese nationals, initially suspected of being kidnapped during a pirate attack off the coast of Ghana, have been confirmed safe, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The incident occurred on Thursday, March 29, 2025, when armed individuals boarded the Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel, the MENGXIN 1, prompting concerns about the safety of the crew.
The Ghana Armed Forces initially reported the situation as a “suspected pirate attack” involving the MENGXIN 1, which had been fishing in Ghanaian waters at the time of the incident.
According to a statement from the Ghana Armed Forces, seven armed individuals boarded the vessel on Thursday evening, firing warning shots.
The crew members were reportedly forced to take cover in safe areas while the pirates stayed on board for around three hours, assembling the crew on deck and confiscating their phones.
After the armed individuals left the ship, the crew discovered that three Chinese nationals were missing.
The vessel was subsequently docked, and an investigation was launched by the Ghanaian authorities to determine the full extent of the attack.
The identity of the pirates remains unclear, and no further details have been released about their motivations or intentions.
Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, located off the coast of West Africa, is not uncommon.
The region has long been a hotspot for pirate activities, and Chinese vessels, in particular, have been involved in fishing operations in Ghanaian waters for years, sometimes under Ghanaian flags.
This has raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals working in the region.
On Monday, April 1, 2025, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that all crew members aboard the MENGXIN 1, including the three Chinese nationals initially thought to be kidnapped, were safe.
“China will continue to work with Ghana to effectively safeguard the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Ghana,” said Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Ministry.
While piracy continues to be a persistent issue in the Gulf of Guinea, both Ghanaian and Chinese authorities are working together to ensure the safety of their nationals in the region.
The Ghana Armed Forces and local law enforcement continue their investigations into the attack, though no arrests or significant breakthroughs have been reported as of yet.
