Indian Woman Cadet On Seized Ship MSC Aries Returns Home, MEA Says Remaining Crew 'In Good Health'

The Ministry of External Affairs said the Indian mission in Tehran is in touch with Iranian authorities to ensure the well-being of the remaining 16 crew members of MSC Aries. 

Indian deck cadet Ann Tessa Joseph, who was part of the 17 Indian crew members on MSC Aries, that was seized by Iranian military over the weekend, returned to Cochin on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The MEA also said the Indian mission in Tehran is in touch with Iranian authorities to ensure the well-being of the remaining 16 crew members of MSC Aries. 

Joseph, who hailed from Kerala's Thrissur, landed safely at the Cochin International Airport on Thursday afternoon, where she was received by the Regional Passport Officer, Cochin.

"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, Joseph was received by the Regional Passport Officer, Cochin," the ministry said in a statement.

The MEA also said the crew members are in good health and in contact with their family members in India.

"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," the ministry said in a statement.

Indian Mission is also in touch with the Iranian authorities in ensuring the well-being of the remaining crew members of MSC Aries, it said.

The Special Naval Forces of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) seized MSC Aries on April 13 reportedly in view of its links with Israel. 

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had spoken to his Iranian counterpart, Amir Abdollahian, on the matter four days ago. 

The cargo ship MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, has links with Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. It also had crew from other countries including Russia, Pakistan, Philippines and Estonia.