After enduring a harrowing ordeal at the hands of Somali pirates, 23 sailors from the MV Abdullah have finally returned home to Chittagong, Bangladesh. Their arrival, greeted with tears of joy, marks the end of a traumatic journey that began with their ship's hijacking off the coast of Somalia.

The sailors' long-awaited return home came as the MV Jahan docked at Chittagong port, carrying the weary crew members who had endured weeks of captivity. Secretary of Chittagong port, Omar Farooq, confirmed their safe arrival and announced that the sailors would undergo formalities before reuniting with their families.

Expressing their gratitude for their safe return, some of the sailors shared their emotional journey, recounting moments of despair and hope during their ordeal. Many had resigned themselves to the possibility of never seeing their loved ones again but were overwhelmed with joy upon finally setting foot on familiar ground.

The sailors' release follows negotiations with the pirates, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that a ransom of $5 million was paid for their freedom. However, the ship's owner has not officially confirmed this.

The MV Abdullah, laden with 55,000 tonnes of coal from Mozambique, was hijacked while en route to Dubai. The ship was anchored off the northeast coast of Somalia before its eventual release.

This isn't the first time ships belonging to the same owner group have fallen victim to piracy. In 2010, the MV Jahan Monik, also owned by the same group, was hijacked, with the crew members being held for ransom before their eventual rescue.

The return of the MV Abdullah sailors marks the end of a traumatic chapter for the crew and their families. Their safe arrival home serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of those involved in securing their release. As they reunite with their loved ones, they can finally begin to put this ordeal behind them and look towards the future.