The MT Heroic Idun’s crew of 26, including 16 Indian citizens, have been held captive in Guinea for close to three months. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBC) has launched an international appeal to help secure their quick release.
“Without any formal accusations or legal proceedings, the sailors have been treated like criminals. There is serious marine injustice here “In a statement on November 10, Bishop Alex Vadukkumthala, the country-in-charge of Apostolate of the Sea (also known as Stella Maris) and the Chairman of the CBCI Office for Labor, made note of this.
Since August 14, Guinea has been holding 26 sailors who are also from the Philippines, Poland, Sri Lanka, and India.
While appreciating the efforts by the government through its diplomatic channels, Bishop Vadakkumthala urged various networks concerned “to work tirelessly to ensure the release of the seafarers and return to their distressed families.”
