'Never thought I would see my family again'; Jerin George returns safely to Kerala

ALAPPUZHA: “I never thought I would see my family again. I have an unfulfilled debt to many people. I was facing severe mental stress and hunger," said Jerin George (29), a resident of Puthenveetil, Pallipad, Alappuzha, who was stranded on an Iranian ship for 46 days following the Middle East War. Jerin, who walked out of the airport, was greeted by the relieved faces of his father, George Jacob and mother Lily.

Jerin, who arrived at the Kochi airport on Sunday morning, reached his home at Pallipad by 3 pm along with his family members. Leeja is his sister.

Jerin, an engine technician, was working on an Iranian cargo ship for the Dubai-based Sea Star Shipping Company. The ship left Dubai for Iran after the Middle East conflict began. As the war intensified, the ship was unable to reach its destination and was stranded.

There was only a reserve of food for a specific day. After that, food for three days was delivered to the ship every ten days. The crew ate only one meal and used up the three-day allowance to survive ten days. With this, the crew members’ health deteriorated. There were about 150 Indians on the ship, including twelve Malayalees. The release was made possible through the intervention of the Indian Embassy in the UAE. Yasir, a native of Ambalapuzha, has still not been able to return home as the embassy has not completed the procedures. Efforts are ongoing.

AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal MP communicated with the Ambassador of the Indian Embassy in the UAE, which led to a ship being sent to the Iranian coast. Jerin was accommodated in a hotel near the border of Iran and Armenia. With this, he was able to communicate with home. Since there were no flights to reach the country via Iran, K.C. Venugopal also contacted the embassy for the procedures for the Armenian visa. After completing the procedures, Jerin was brought home after the Alappuzha MP paid for the ticket. Jerin said that he received help from many leaders from all political parties.