Galaxy Leader sailor freed by Houthis says crew never let go of hope

A Bulgarian sailor who was released by Houthi rebels after more than a year in captivity said holding on to hope got him through the days of uncertainty, tension and fear.

“You have to hold on to hope … that you will get back to your family and loved ones. You must not let go of hope,” Danail Veselinov, assistant captain of the ship, told The National in his first media interview since being freed.

He was among the 25 crew members of the Bahamas-flagged cargo ship Galaxy Leader who were handed over to Oman on Wednesday “in support of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza” between Hamas and Israel, according to a statement broadcast by the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV.

The vessel was seized in November 2023 and marked the start of attacks by the militant group on shipping in the Red Sea corridor a month after the Israel Gaza war began.

Mr Veselinov and fellow Bulgarian, captain Lyubomir Chanev had an emotional reunion with their families as they touched down in Sofia early Friday. “We waited for this moment for so long … It was a traumatising experience but now it’s finally over,” he said.

They were flown home in a plane sent by the Bulgarian government to Muscat, and were allowed to go home to their families after clearing medical checks.

Staying positive and patient

Mr Veselinov recalled that the first two weeks in captivity were harrowing until they were allowed to call their families. “Once we spoke to our families, we were a bit calmer,” said the 40-year-old sailor, who spoke to his mother and young child in his hometown of Gorna Oryahovitsa.

They were allowed calls every fortnight and video calls from May last year, giving them and their loved ones some respite.

During every call, the crew tried to reassure their relatives that they would be released soon. “We told our family we were in captivity but safe, we had food and provisions. We told them we needed to wait a little more … then a little more. Once your family knows you are safe, there is some relief and you have the drive to continue to wait.”

Initially, Mr Veselinov and captain Chanev were separated from the crew and kept in a hotel for four months, before being moved back on to the ship. They lived on the ship until last October when the vessel's fuel ran out. They were then moved to a house in Sanaa where they were supplied with provisions to manage their daily food.

“We held together as a crew,” Mr Veselinov said about how they lifted each other's spirits. “When we talked to the crew we convinced them and convinced ourselves that everything would be good. We tried to stay positive.

“We told the men that [the Houthis] were not threatening us, not torturing us so that was a sign, they had good intentions. We just had to be patient and positive. We gave them courage all the time.”

Setting foot on home soil

Elena Yoncheva, a Bulgarian member of the European Parliament who has been closely monitoring the ordeal and appealing for an end to attacks on sailors, was among government officials on the plane with the freed sailors.

She said the men are deeply affected. “Yes, they are fine physically but the uncertainty and being in captivity for 14 months is a lot … It is difficult … when you don’t know what will happen the next day. They have small children and families who depend on them.”

International organisations have condemned the targeting of seafarers and criticised the attacks on global shipping. The Houthis said they would limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to ships affiliated with Israel after the ceasefire began but warned that assaults would resume if needed.

“The seafarers have nothing to do with the conflict and they should not carry the burden of this situation,” said Ms Yoncheva. “They are innocent people and the international community must do to everything to support them.”

In the Philippines too, there were emotional scenes as families gathered at Pasay City to welcome 17 sailors who arrived on an Oman Air flight late on Thursday. Banners that read, “Welcome home kabayan seafarers of MV Galaxy Leader,” welcomed the sailors and the government said it joined the nation in celebrating their release.

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