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World / Middle East

India, Philippines seeking sailors release from British-flagged tanker seized by Iran

Published: 20 Jul 2019 - 12:19 pm | Last Updated: 01 Nov 2021 - 07:41 pm
Stena Impero, a British-flagged tanker, off the coast of Europoort in Rotterdam on April 3, 2018.  (AFP PHOTO / MARINETRAFFIC.COM / JAN VERHOOG)

Stena Impero, a British-flagged tanker, off the coast of Europoort in Rotterdam on April 3, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / MARINETRAFFIC.COM / JAN VERHOOG)

Agencies

TEHRAN, Iran: The Indian and Philippine governments say they're working to get Iran to release nationals from the two countries who were on board a British-flagged oil tanker seized by Iran in the Gulf.

All 23 crew on the tanker were now at Bandar Abbas port and would remain on the vessel until the end of an investigation, Fars quoted the official as saying.

The crew was made up of 18 Indian nationals and five others from Russia, the Philippines, Lithuania and elsewhere, a Iranian official said.

READ ALSO: Iran says British-flagged tanker was in accident with fishing boat

India's foreign ministry spokesman, Raveesh Kumar, said Saturday its diplomats were "in touch with the Government of Iran to secure the early release and repatriation" of the 18 Indian crew members on the Stena Impero.

Manila's Department of Foreign Affairs also says its ambassador to Tehran is in contact with Iranian authorities to ensure the one Filipino crew member's safety and immediate release.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola says there have been no reports of injuries among the crew.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency has said the other crew members consisted of three Russians and a Latvian.

(AP / Reuters)