Orkim Harmony: Hijackers escaped last night, said Navy chief

Eight hijackers of the MT Orkim Harmony escaped last night between 8.15 and 8.30pm using the vessel's escape boat, said Royal Malaysian Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

In a series of tweet, Abdul Aziz also said the 22 crew members were safe.

However, the cook, who is an Indonesian national, sustained injuries after he was shot on his thigh, on June 11, Abdul Aziz said.

He said the authorities had began search operation for the escaped hijackers.

MT OH: P3 Orion, C130 and Beechcraft are airborne this morning to conduct the search for the escaped perpetrators.
— Abdul Aziz Jaafar (@ChiefofNavy) June 19, 2015

The Malaysian navy is also involved in the search, he said.

MT OH: RMN has tasked 3 ships and 2 helicopters to conduct the search. KD Jebat, with Super Lynx embarked, has joined in the search.
— Abdul Aziz Jaafar (@ChiefofNavy) June 19, 2015

The tanker which is already on its way back is expected to arrive at the Kuantan Port, early morning tomorrow.

MT OH: MT Orkim Harmony is now proceeding to Kuantan Port escorted by a Navy ship. ETA at 2 am on 20 June.
— Abdul Aziz Jaafar (@ChiefofNavy) June 19, 2015

The tanker, which was first spotted in Cambodian waters on Wednesday after went missing for almost a week, was repainted from blue to black. It was also renamed Kim Harmon.

Abdul Aziz who has been tweeting updates of the tanker since yesterday said the hijackers were confirmed to be onboard, armed with pistols and parangs. READ: MT Orkim Harmony: Hijackers spoke with Indonesian accent

READ: MT Orkim Harmony's RM21 million cargo intact

MT Orkim Harmony was sailing from Malacca to Kuantan when it went missing on June 12. On board the tanker were 22 crewmen comprising 16 Malaysians, five Indonesians and one from Myanmar.