Sixteen seafarers from Syria and India are stranded in Hodeidah, Yemen after Israeli airstrikes hit the area, leaving eight trapped on the ship Captain Tarek. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has successfully helped eight Syrian seafarers disembark from the ship and find refuge in a hotel, with efforts now focused on aiding the remaining eight to return to India. The seafarers are experiencing trauma after being abandoned in a war zone, with the ship’s flag state currently unclear.
Recent airstrikes in Hodeidah, targeting refinery and electricity infrastructure, have worsened the situation for the stranded seafarers. These strikes, in response to a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, have led to casualties and port closures, further complicating the plight of the seafarers. Additionally, the crew of the Bahamas-flagged ship Galaxy Leader remains hostage in Yemen after being hijacked by a Houthi-operated helicopter. The international crew, including Filipinos, Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Mexicans, and a Romanian, is still being held and is not expected to be released until the conflict involving Israel’s attacks on Gaza deescalates.
Mohamed Arrachedi, ITF Flags of Convenience Network Coordinator for the Arab World and Iran, has highlighted the urgent need to assist the stranded seafarers in Hodeidah. The dire situation faced by these individuals, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding their flag state and the ongoing conflict in the region, underscores the need for swift and effective action to ensure their safety and well-being.
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