According to International news, nine sailors from India who had been held captive for many months by a local militia in Libya were finally released, on 31st May.
As explained, they reached Tripoli, where India’s Ambassador to Tunisia received them.
The group reportedly contacted the Indian embassy in Tunisia on 15 February and mentioned that Merchant Vessel named MT Maya 1, where they had been working, suddenly broke down close to the coast of Libya and that they had been taken into captivity by a local militia.
The Indian mission immediately took up the issue with relevant Libyan authorities seeking consular access, ensuring the group is safe, and facilitating repatriation as soon as possible.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian mission continued following up on the matter with concerned authorities in Libya.
As informed, the ship is owned by a Greek major and flies the flag of Cameroon. It was sailing to Tripoli from Malta, loaded with petroleum products.
Of nine Indian crew members, five hail from Uttar Pradesh and one each from West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh.
