The South Korean Navy’s anti-piracy unit in Somalia has rescued 11 foreign sailors who were drifting near the Gulf of Aden, the Joint Chiefs of Staff here said Monday.

The sailors were rescued by the Korean troops at around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday (local time) off the coast of Somalia, while drifting on a lifeboat for five days, the JCS said.

The sailors ― eight Indians, two Yemenis and one Nepalese ― had abandoned their ship after it had caught fire at sea, it said.

After rescuing them from the lifeboat, the Korean soldiers provided them with emergency medical aid as well as food and clothing, it said.

The Cheonghae Unit has been deployed in the Gulf of Aden since early 2009 as part of a global effort to tackle piracy in the region.

The 300-strong contingent is tasked with protecting South Korean vessels off the Somalian coast and providing support to ships of other nations in nearby waters. (Yonhap News)