Indian Seafarers Trapped in Iran: A Plea for Help
In the Port of Khorramshahr, Iran, around 50 Indian seafarers find themselves in a desperate situation, living in fear of daily missile attacks. They are urgently calling on the Indian government for help.
Videos shared with ETV Bharat show these seafarers running for their lives amid ongoing violence. “Every day, we face this fear for over three hours. Please help us return to India,” pleaded one of the stranded seafarers.
Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), explained that many of these workers were on foreign vessels. Unfortunately, due to the way they joined their ships through agents in Dubai, the Indian government lacks crucial details about them, such as visa status or vessel names. “Some lack the necessary visas for Iran, and their agents are not assisting them,” Yadav said.
Yadav has promised to assist the seafarers and asked them to share their details. He mentioned that the FSUI has already contacted the Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, providing information on 11 vessels and the urgent need for intervention to repatriate the seafarers.
Reports indicate that nearly 50 vessels are currently anchored near Khorramshahr, facing missile threats daily. Many seafarers have not received their salaries for over a month, compounding their struggles.
One seafarer, Mohit Garwhal, shared, “We can’t recharge our phones or communicate with our families. Our situation is dire. We need the government to evacuate us.” Another, Akit Yadav, added that while they are currently receiving rations, there is a shortage of clean drinking water, increasing their fears for survival amid bombs and missiles.
This situation shines a light on the plight of seafarers in conflict zones, showcasing the risks they endure while providing essential services worldwide. According to the International Maritime Organization, an estimated 90% of global trade moves by sea, making the safety of seafarers critical not only to their families but to economies worldwide.
As the international community increasingly recognizes the challenges faced by seafarers, it’s clear that more support is needed for those caught in conflict areas. The FSUI continues to advocate for these workers, urging swift action to ensure their safety and well-being.
For more information, you can read about the broader issues faced by seafarers globally here.
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IRAN, IRAN WAR, STRAIT OF HORMUZ, INDIANS STRANDED AT IRANIAN PORT, INDIAN SEAFARERS STRANDED AT IRANIAN PORT PLEAD FOR URGENT REPATRIATION AMID DAILY MISSILE ATTACKS
