Kerala woman, among Indian crew of 16 on ship seized by Iran, returns home
Kerala, Apr 18 : Indian deck cadet Ann Tessa Joseph, a crew member of the Israeli-flagged merchant ship seized by Iran, landed at the Cochin Internation Airport on Thursday, the government said.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “With the concerted efforts of 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 the Cochin International Airport today afternoon. At the airport, Ms. Joseph was received by the Regional Passport Officer, Cochin.”
Ann Tessa Joseph is among the 17 Indian nationals who were onboard the container vessel MSC Aries when it was seized by Iranian military near the Strait of Hormuz last week.
The government said the Indian Mission in Tehran remains 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 Ministry of External Affairs said.
“Indian Mission is also in touch with the Iranian authorities in ensuring the well being of the remaining crew members of MSC Aries. Earlier, External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian on the matter,” the statement read.
On Tuesday, Iran’s Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi told India Today TV that all the 17 Indian nationals who were on board the container ship were safe. He added that the weather situation in the Persian Gulf is not good and the Indians on the ship will be sent home once the weather clears.
Iran seized the Israeli flagged ship on April 13 amid the growing tensions between the two countries after Iran fired over 300 missiles and drones over Israel.
-The India Today
