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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said that 166 Indian seafarers are currently in and around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz region, with authorities closely monitoring their safety amid escalating security concerns.
According to the MEA, six Indian vessels carrying 125 Indian seafarers are operating west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. 41 Indian nationals are serving aboard foreign-flagged ships in the same region.
The Ministry of Shipping is coordinating with Indian missions in the Gulf to ensure the welfare of the crew members and extend assistance if required.
The update comes days after the Mozambique-flagged LPG tanker DISHA (IMO No. 8818219), carrying 28 Indian crew members, came under attack in Iranian territorial waters on July 24.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed that all Indian crew members were safe and said it remained in close contact with the relevant authorities while continuing to monitor the situation.
In view of the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has advised ship owners, ship managers and Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) companies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz until further orders.
The maritime regulator said the advisory aims to safeguard the safety, security and welfare of Indian seafarers as attacks on merchant vessels continue in the conflict-affected region.
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