Mumbai, April 9: Rex Pereira, a crew member from Nalasopara, Maharashtra, has safely returned from a war zone in Iraq. Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of the Forward Seamen Union of India, congratulated him on his safe return.
In an interview, Pereira shared that he boarded the ship in Dubai on October 15. The vessel departed on October 28 and reached Iraq on November 7. They were stranded at the Iran-Iraq border for four months.
He explained that their ship’s engine had seized. After repairs, they reached Iraq, where the engine exploded, leaving him and another crew member seriously injured. Following this, conflict erupted. They pleaded with the ship’s owner and captain to let them leave, but their requests were ignored.
Pereira noted that for a long time, they were unaware of the war situation due to being cut off from social media and news. Their families were worried. When they witnessed attacks between March 9 and 11, their anxiety escalated. They desperately wanted to escape.
He revealed that they had not received their salaries for four months. They were also promised a salary increase. Among the crew, four were Indian, while the rest were Iraqi. The Iraqis would come and work before leaving. Their ship had no oil, and they only operated the generator for cooking. No other vessels were nearby to offer assistance.
Pereira described the deteriorating condition of the ship, with no fuel left. The captain and chief officer had abandoned the ship, which was against regulations. After about 12 days, a new captain arrived but left shortly after, as they were all Iraqi or Iranian.
He mentioned that the embassy provided assistance. Officials visited them with military support. They received calls every morning and evening. They requested help to evacuate but were told they lacked the necessary documents, leaving them helpless.
He also noted that many other ships in the vicinity had stranded Indians. Some were unaware of the situation and lacked documentation, preventing them from seeking help.
Manoj Yadav stated that efforts to rescue them had been ongoing for several days, with assistance from the embassy. Many people remain trapped in the war zone. The government now has a good opportunity to evacuate them during the ceasefire.
He added that a letter had been sent to the Prime Minister, urging the safe return of all stranded Indians in Iranian ports and war zones.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment