Kerala youth stranded on Iran cargo ship, kin seek help

KOLLAM: A maritime trainee from Chandanathope in Kerala’s Kollam is stranded on an Iranian cargo vessel mid-sea off Sharjah coast for nearly a month. His family is worried that he is suffering. Akhimon M, 21, had joined Iran-based cargo vessel Queen Star and travelled to the country on April 14 last year. After completing training at International Maritime Academy in Chennai, he secured placement through a Jaipur-based recruitment agency. His mother Rameeha Madhu told TOI that the family last spoke to him four days ago. “They have not been providing proper food or salary to my son. He said he is struggling. He is our only son and we’re helpless,” she said. The family has approached the shipowner and sought intervention of Kollam MP, N K Premachandran. The MP told TOI: “I have taken up the matter with the Indian embassy in Iran... it is difficult to say when he would be able to return but he is reported to be safe.”