Eight Indian seafarers have been cleared for release from Iran after a court ruling, bringing hope to their families. These crew members were among 16 taken captive when the oil tanker M.T. Valiant Roar was seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on December 8, 2022, near Dibba port. They faced severe conditions: ten were imprisoned in Bandar Abbas, while the others were confined on the damaged ship without electricity and adequate facilities.
Families of the seafarers made emotional appeals to the Indian government, prompting high-level interventions to secure consular access and advocate for their release. As confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), eight crew members were released, with repatriation procedures now underway. The released sailors are Akash Gupta, Vishal Kumar, Shoeb Akhter, Ansari Manzoor, Akash Kumar Singh, Ramesh Aro Derish Thasan, Divakar Puthi and Gopal Chauhan.
Despite this positive development, eight Indian seafarers remain in detention, and their families are still anxiously awaiting news. This incident underscores the significant challenges faced by Indian maritime personnel in tense international waters and highlights the need for continued diplomatic efforts to ensure their safety.
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