MEA working for early release of 18 Indian crew of ship seized by Iran: Jaishankar
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday said the Indian government is working for the early release and repatriation of all the 18 Indian crew members on board the British-flagged tanker which has been detained by the Revolutionary Guards of Iran (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz.
"We are focussed on the early release and repatriation of all 18 Indian crew members of Stena Impero. Officers of our Embassy in Tehran have met them and they seem to be in good health with adequate supplies. We remain in constant contact with Iranian authorities to resolve this," he said on Twitter.
Jaishankar shared the update after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami brought to the notice of the Centre and MEA on the plight of Chennai-based Adithyaa Vasudevan, aged 27, along with 18 other Indian sailors, who were onboard when the UK registered ship Stena Impero was detained by Iran.
Palaniswami further wrote in the letter that Vasudevan, working in the ship as Third Officer, was sailing from Fujairah, UAE, to Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and was detained on July 19, along with 22 other sailors (including 18 Indians) at the Strait of Hormuz by the IRGC.
The father of Vasudevan has represented to the Tamil Nadu Government for his early release and repatriation.
"I request your good office to direct the authorities concerned and secure the immeditate release and repatriation of Vasudevan and other sailors to India," the Chief Minister wrote.
India had recently availed consular access to 18 Indian crew members on board the UK registered ship.
Iran had last month seized the Stena Impero ship. Following the seizure, cargo vessel owner said that there were 23 people on board with 18 Indian nationals, a statement issued by company Stena Bulk said, as quoted by CNN.
The vessel owner has also said that the crew is in good health.
"Our insurers in the region have been in contact with the Head of Marine Affairs at the Port of Bandar Abbas, who has reported that the crew members of our vessel Stena Impero are in 'good health' and that the tanker is at the nearby Bandar Bahonar anchorage," the company statement added.
The United Kingdom has called Iran's actions to seize its tanker as "dangerous" and "illegal."
The United States, France and Germany have condemned Iran's actions.
