Woman, part of Indian crew on board ship seized by Iran, returns home

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, April 18, 2024: An Indian sailor who was among the crew of a cargo ship that was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards near the Strait of Hormuz on April 13 has safely reached home, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said today.

"With the concerted efforts of the Indian mission in Tehran and the Iranian government, Indian deck cadet Ann Tessa Joseph from Thrissur, Kerala, who was among the Indian crew members of container vessel MSC Aries, has landed safely at Cochin International Airport," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

"The Indian mission in Tehran remains seized of the matter and is in touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container vessel. The crew members are in good health and in contact with their family members in India," the MEA said in a statement

The government said India is also in touch with Iranian authorities for ensuring the well-being of the remaining crew members.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian on the matter.