More than two weeks have passed since the Bangladeshi flag carrier MV Abdullah was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, leaving its 23 crew members in a state of uncertainty and distress.

Despite regular calls from the relatives of the crew members to the ship's owning company SR Shipping, there is still no indication of when the crew members will be rescued from the pirates' captivity.

Mizanul Islam, media adviser of KSRM Group, a subsidiary of SR Shipping, expressed the company's efforts to secure the release of the crew members, aiming for their freedom before Eid-ul-Fitr.

Badrul Islam, brother-in-law of one of the crew members, provided insights into the challenging conditions faced by the hostages, including limited access to drinking water, which has led to health issues among the crew.

Reports suggest that the pirates have demanded ransom through an intermediary, adding complexity to the situation. While ship authorities have been in contact with the pirates, details regarding negotiations and potential ransom payments remain undisclosed.

Captain Atiq U Khan highlighted the cautious approach taken by the government and the ship owner, opting against a commando operation. The presence of European Union and Indian warships in the vicinity of MV Abdullah is noted, although direct intervention has been avoided thus far.

The cargo vessel, carrying 55,000 metric tons of coal from Mozambique to the UAE, was seized by Somali pirates on March 12, sparking concerns over the safety and well-being of the crew members as their fate remains uncertain.