Kasargod: Among the 22 indians abroad in the ship which is suspected to be hijacked by pirates on the African Coast, a native of Uduma, Sree Unni is said to be one.

Sree Unni, aged 25, was a resident of Kasargod’s Perle Hittil. The family of Sree Unni have reportedly received information of the hijack.

The tanker vessel MT Marine Express, with 22 Indians on board went missing off the coast of Benin, a West African country. It is suspected the vessel MT Marine Express, carrying 13,500 tonnes of gasoline, may have been hijacked for ransom or attacked by pirates for the gas.

The vessel is owned by Mumbai-based Anglo-Eastern Ship Management. Unni’s family member received a call from the company’s official saying they cannot contact anyone from the vessel. The ship completely lost contact with the company on January 31.

Unni was working in the catering department of the ship for the last four years. He had returned to the ship a month ago after coming home on vacation.

Unni’s said that he called home for the last time on January 31 at 3 pm. The same night, the company lost contact with the ship.

Reports say that India has sought the help of Nigeria and Benin to find the ship. The search operation for the missing vessel is on progress.