Malayali woman in Israel ship seized by Iran; father raises concern

TEL AVIV: Reports said that a Malayali woman is in the Israel’s cargo ship MSC Aries seized by Iran revolutionary guards. The fourth Malayali in the ship is Antessa Joseph of Thrissur Veluthur.

Antessa had been working on the ship for nine months as part of her training. Her father told a media that he is concerned about his daughter. Antessa last spoke to her parents on Friday. Her father said that the company officials informed him that she is safe.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had informed that Indian officials would be allowed to meet the 17 Indian crew members aboard the MSC Aries. After Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Iranian officials over the phone, the officials got the permission to meet the crew of the ship.

Iran seized the ship which was coming from UAE to Mumbai. India had earlier initiated diplomatic intervention in New Delhi and Tehran to ensure the safety of the Indians and facilitate their release. Shyamnath Thelamparambathu, a native of Ramanattukara, Sumesh, a native of Palakkad Keralasseri Vadasseri and P V Dhanesh, a native of Kattikulam Palvelicham in Wayanad, are the other Malayalees on board. A total of 25 crew members are on board.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGS) seized the Zodiac Group ship owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. Soldiers landed on the ship via helicopters near the Emirati port city of Fujairah.