Caught in the crossfire: Seafarers stuck in the Persian Gulf

“We were stranded in the Persian Gulf for about four days, and then our shipping company was able to negotiate with Iran for safe passage. While stranded, we saw ships being attacked by drones, warning messages from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on VHF radio, fighter jets and more,” Chaurasia said.

His captain received a route from the IRGC, and they sailed close to Iranian and Omani waters because there were sea mines on the other side, he said. India’s shipping ministry has facilitated the repatriation of about 2,680 Indian seafarers since the outbreak of the conflict.

Three Indian sailors have lost their lives owing to the ongoing war and on April 18 two Indian-flagged vessels were fired upon by the IRGC while attempting to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

(Reporting by Saurabh Sharma; Editing by Sharon Singleton)