Crew treated well by Iranian authorities, says Kerala woman released from seized ship

Indian platform cadet Ann Tessa Joseph, a unit personnel of nan Israeli-flagged merchant vessel seized by Iran, who was released by Iranian authorities and reached her location successful Kottayam successful Kerala, said that nan Iranian authorities treated nan unit really well.

Speaking to reporters after reaching her location connected Thursday, she said, "Even though they (Iranian authorities) seized nan ship, they treated nan unit really well. Food was not an issue. We utilized to eat and past return to nan cabin. They didn't person immoderate volition to harm nan crew."

Ann Joseph, 25, is among nan 17 Indian nationals who were onboard nan instrumentality alloy MSC Aries erstwhile it was seized by nan Iranian subject adjacent nan Strait of Hormuz past week.

She said that nan Iranian authorities besides made arrangements for nan sailors to pass pinch their respective families, according to news agency PTI.

"I was released early astir apt arsenic I was nan only female onboard nan ship," Joseph said.

She expressed gratitude to everyone, including nan External Affairs Ministry, who helped successful her release.

Ann Joseph said that everyone onboard nan vessel was alert of nan tensions betwixt Israel and Iran, but ne'er expected that specified a point would hap to them.

She further said that nan consulate had told her that nan remaining 16 Indians, including 3 from Kerala, would beryllium released soon.

Apart from Ann Tessa, nan different unit from Kerala include, 2nd serviceman PV Dhanesh, 32, from Mananthavady successful Wayanad, 2nd technologist Shyam Nath, 31, from Mavoor successful Kozhikode and 3rd technologist S Sumesh, 31, from Keralassery successful Palakkad.

On being asked if she would return to nan section aft this incident, she said, ""I took up this occupation because I desired to activity successful this field. So, I will decidedly spell backmost to activity successful this field."

Iran's Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi told India Today TV connected Tuesday that each nan 17 Indians who were connected committee nan vessel were safe. He added that nan upwind business successful nan Persian Gulf is not bully and nan Indians connected nan vessel will beryllium sent location erstwhile nan upwind clears.

Iran seized nan Israeli flagged vessel connected April 13 amid nan increasing tensions betwixt nan 2 countries aft Iran fired complete 300 missiles and drones complete Israel.

(With inputs from PTI)