As geopolitical tensions flare in the Persian Gulf following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, 23 Indian seafarers aboard the merchant vessel Mirage (IMO: 9254422) remain stranded off the coast of Iran, sparking growing concern among their families and maritime authorities.
🚢 Crew in Limbo as Communication Breaks Down
Families of the crew, many of whom hail from South India, say they have not heard from their loved ones for over a week. Aparna Suresh, wife of 26-year-old crew member Avinash Amal Kumar, shared her distress:
“My husband told me they were planning to sign off due to the Iran-Israel conflict. That was the last update. Since then, there’s been only silence.”
The vessel is managed by Deewine Ship Management and Marine Services Ltd, whose officials confirmed the presence of 23 Indian nationals on board. The company stated that the foreign owner of the vessel has been informed, and efforts are underway to establish contact and ensure the crew’s safety.
⚠️ Heightened Risk in the Persian Gulf
The Mirage is among nearly 250 merchant vessels currently navigating the Persian Gulf—a region now under intense military surveillance following Operation Midnight Hammer, the US-led strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. The volatile security environment has raised alarms about the safety of commercial shipping and crew welfare.
India’s Directorate General of Shipping has already issued advisories urging Indian-flagged vessels and seafarers to exercise extreme caution while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, citing elevated risks of detention or collateral damage.
🧭 Families Seek Government Intervention
With no clear timeline for repatriation, families are urging the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene diplomatically and ensure the safe return of the stranded crew. The situation is particularly dire for families like Aparna’s, where Avinash’s father is hospitalized and the family is emotionally and financially strained.
“We just want our sons and husbands home safely. The silence is unbearable,” said one relative.
Stay tuned for developments on this unfolding maritime crisis.
