New Delhi:
Ann Tessa Joseph – the lndian sailor who crewed on MSC Aries, the ship seized by Iran on April 13 and was launched this week – has thanked the Exterior Affairs Ministry for securing her freedom. She additionally mentioned the centre advised her it’s “making an attempt very laborious” to make sure the discharge of her fellow sailors too.
“I’ve to thank many individuals. Firstly, I had such an early launch due to (the) direct interference of Exterior Affairs Ministry. Not simply them… so many individuals who I do not know personally labored for this. I need to thank all of them,” Ms Joseph mentioned in an announcement launched Friday morning.
She additionally mentioned that whereas she “did not anticipate” such an incident, her momentary captors handled her, and the crew nicely, permitting them to eat and drink recurrently and never harming them in any manner.
“I by no means anticipated such an incident to happen. I knew the warfare was happening… however did not anticipate this. Despite the fact that they seized the ship, they handled the crew very nicely. There was no problem of meals… we might prepare dinner within the mess. (However) we needed to eat and return to our cabins. They didn’t hurt us.”
“They did not have any intention to hurt the crew. There have been 4 Keralites, together with me. Now 16 Indians are left there. After they spoke to the consulate yesterday, they have been knowledgeable that there will probably be an early launch. The centre is making an attempt very laborious to make sure this,” she mentioned.
“Was the one feminine amongst 25. Am the one one who has come again.”
In a publish on X (previously Twitter) on Thursday night, Exterior Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed Ms Joseph’s secure return, and that the federal government is working for the discharge of the opposite sailors too.
https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1780909524859420956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“The Indian mission in Tehran stays seized of the matter and is in contact with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container vessel. The crew members are in good well being and involved with their members of the family in India.”
READ | Lady, Half Of Indian Crew On Board Ship Seized By Iran, Returns Dwelling
After Ms Joseph landed in India, Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar mentioned, “Nice work, Indian mission in Iran. Glad that Ms Ann Tessa Joseph has reached residence. Modi ki assure all the time delivers, at residence or overseas.”
The seizure of the vessel got here after heightened tensions within the Center East following a missile assault by Iran on Israel. Round 300 missiles have been fired by Tehran, which mentioned it was retaliation for an air strike on its embassy in Damascus in Syria.
READ | Israel Used Multi-Layered Defend To Block Iran Assault. How It Works
With the area on edge now anticipating a second assault by Israel, Iran this morning mentioned it had activated its air defences. This was after unconfirmed studies mentioned Israel had launched an air strike; Iran’s official broadcaster mentioned explosions have been heard close to the central metropolis of Isfahan.
READ | Iran Shoots Down A number of Drones, US Officers Suspect Israel
Iran claimed to have shot down a number of drones however there had been “no missile assault for now”.
Israel army has mentioned it ‘doesn’t have remark right now’ after studies of blasts in Iran, studies AFP.
Earlier this week ex-Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert advised NDTV he has been urging his nation to point out restraint after Iran’s assault, arguing {that a} practically 99 per cent interception fee was a win in itself.
NDTV Unique | “Humiliated Iran, Do not Want To React”: Ex-Israel PM
The Iranian facet had urged Israel to suppose twice a few retaliatory strike. The UN has additionally warned the worldwide neighborhood in opposition to escalation. Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres advised the Safety Council “neither the area nor the world can afford extra warfare”.
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