Indian woman cadet onboard ship seized by Iran returns home: MEA

NEW DELHI: Ann Tessa Joseph, a deck cadet who was a part of 17 Indian nationals onboard the seized vessel MSC Aries has returned home, the ministry of external affairs said on Thursday.

"With the concerted efforts of Indian Mission in Tehran and the Iranian Government, Indian deck cadet Ms. 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," MEA said in a statement.

MEA further said that India is in constant touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the ship.

"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," it 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," it added.

On April 13, Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship, which had 17 Indians onboard, in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian foreign ministry said the MSC Aries cargo ship was seized by the authorities because the freighter "violated maritime laws". Tehran said it had no doubt that the vessel was linked to Israel.

Tensions have soared across the Middle East since the start of Israel's campaign in Gaza in October, with Israel or its ally the United States clashing repeatedly with Iranian-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.