New Delhi, Aug 5: As many as 4,052 stranded Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated during the geopolitical crisis in West Asia, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday.
Sonowal chaired a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Wednesday to assess the safety and security of Indian seafarers amid the evolving geopolitical crisis in West Asia and beyond.
“The DGCOMM Centre (MMDAC) is operating round-the-clock to monitor distress alerts and coordinate rescue efforts.
“During the ongoing crisis: 4,052 stranded Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated and 16,448 calls and 40,594 emails handled by our emergency response channels,” he said in a post on X.
The minister said the Director General Maritime Administration (DGMA) is also providing repatriation support, medical assistance, counselling and continuous engagement with affected families.
Rs 10 lakh immediate financial assistance is being provided to the next of kin of deceased seafarers under the SWFS Special High-Risk Area Scheme, he added.
Sonowal said Indian seafarers are global key workers, and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government stands firmly with them and their families.
“The safety of our maritime heroes remains our paramount priority and we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure their welfare,” he said.
An Indian-flagged merchant vessel has been hit by a projectile near Yemeni waters on Tuesday, causing the vessel to capsize and sink.
In a social media post, Sonowal had said India strongly condemns this “unprovoked attack” on the defenceless mechanised sailing vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya.
“The safety of our people is our supreme priority & I am relieved to inform that ALL 14 seafarers (including 13 Indians) have been safely rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought to the Port of Mokha,” he had said. (PTI)
